Meet Claire! She started volunteering as an SMC intern and had a front desk shift. She always showed curiosity in the digital realm and began helping the CMS team. She also showed interest in our MBE sessions which lead to her training and eventual weekly shift to be an MBE Sound Intern helping the sound engineers. She’s one of the most thoughtful and helpful sound interns ever!
Here’s Claire in her own words…
Where did you grow up and do you have any siblings? Pets?
I grew up in Pasadena area. I have a brother who is a year younger and another half-brother who is 7. I inherited my mother’s love for animals and am now an animal rescue addict (and vegan), so I have two cats named Guinevere and Daedalus (rescued him from the center divider of the 110 freeway in downtown last year) and five guinea pigs named Aja, Mujaji, Goji, Juju, and Jaia, rescued from LA Guinea Pig Rescue in Chatsworth, which might be one of the cutest places in existence. I keep them all very hygienic and healthy — lots of work, but worth it.
What 5 things would you wish you had if you were stranded on a deserted island?
A ginormous anthology of poetry, a guitar, a journal, a black metallic gelly roll pen, and a fuzzy blanket.
What is your current occupation / what do you do outside of KCRW?
I’m an undergraduate student at UCLA studying English, I’ll be graduating in 2019. I love writing music and poetry.
What is your fantasy occupation?
To be a touring singer/musician and to make money being fully devoted to creativity.
When did you first discover KCRW?
I was in middle school when my mom’s boyfriend suggested that I should start listening to Morning Becomes Eclectic. So, I did. Little did I know that one day I would be a studio intern for MBE.
How did you find your way to our station for volunteering?
Through Santa Monica College! When I realized that KCRW offered a semester internship program for SMC students, I instantly applied, interviewed, and was selected to be one of the ten interns for Fall 2015. I also worked events the summer prior.
What’s your current volunteer position and how long have you been at it?
I’m one of the sound interns on Morning Becomes Eclectic, helping out with live band sessions. I also help out in the web office when they need me as a fill-in web producer and web audio producer. I’ve been involved in other areas in the past: front desk, membership office, in the studio as a PA for DJs, music library, events.
How has being a Santa Monica College student helped being involved with KCRW?
It was integral, it is how I became involved. Leading me to KCRW was just one of the many positive effects SMC had on my life, so I’d also like to use this response to fully endorse and promote SMC.
Favorite volunteer moment?
Ahhh….that’s difficult! I’ve experienced so many lovely/memorable moments in all departments. I’ve been able to help out with live performances of bands I love including Low, Slowdive, The Breeders (just to name a few), among so many others. Assisting with these shows and being able to be there for these intimate performances behind the studio glass is so awe-inspiring.
If you could get on the mic and say one sentence on the air, what would it be?
I don’t care, I’d just want to capture my perfect radio voice. It’d be dramatically soft, whispery and drawn out, like ASMR but less creepy.
What song(s) have you hit repeat on lately?
Shadow of a Doubt – Sonic Youth
Plain Tiger – Cocteau Twins
Favorite book, movie?
Book – Tao Te Ching
Movie – Harakiri (1962) or Sunset Boulevard
Favorite thing to do outside the station?
Do artsy things, do girly things
What does KCRW mean to you?
Sooo much. The wonderful volunteer coordinators have really helped me become involved in what I am passionate about at the station, which I am very grateful for. I’ve met incredible humans and have gained a whole repository of special radio station memories.
KCRW, overall, means spreading love and sharing intelligent ideas and artistry with the community — ultimately, making the community a better place. I am honored to be a part. 🙂
We’re so happy you’re part of the KCRW family, Claire!
