Presenters

Chris is the Managing Director of Deacon Communications Pty Ltd, an international consultancy group specialising in space and telecommunications strategy. Chris graduated from the ANU in 1974 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Physics. He has over 30 years of experience in the communications field. This included major satellite planning assignments for Telstra and Optus and 15 years with the former Department of Communications and the Australian Space Office, where he held senior policy advisory positions in broadcasting and telecommunications. He has represented Australia on international technical and regulatory work, with a major emphasis on satellite policy and radio communications spectrum issues. He currently provides business development advisory services to the CSIRO's Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems. Since the early 1970s Chris has been a radio producer/presenter, broadcast and recording engineer. A former President, Chris has personally designed and constructed much of ArtSound FM's facilities. He has been a foundation Board member since 1983, and was awarded life membership in 2000. As honorary Development Manager of ArtSound FM, he is supervising a range of projects including the Manuka studio design and relocation.

Gary Knobel

Gary, through his professional career as a research chemist and Human Resources expert, has always had an interest in public speaking and communication. Coupled with his love of Jazz and Classical music, radio provides the ideal medium for his creative side. During his 10 years of involvement with ArtSound, he has been a Board member and President, presenter of all types of programs and, currently, carries out some Audio Services work as well - all of which keeps him busy and fulfilled as a volunteer - "retiree"! Gary is one of the presenters for The Music Works every second Saturday 2-4PM, Ambient Moods Tuesday 10 to 12pm. Saturday 7-9AM.

John Rogers

Canberra and region resident for more than 20 years, John has wide musical tastes and presents Meridian and Drive Time programs and is sometimes heard on other music programs. Listeners with long memories would know John's voice from 2CC where he was a journalist, reporter and newsreader in the 1980s and with ABC Radio National in the early 1990s on the "Ring the Bells" weekly Parliamentary program. He's also worked in commercial and Government funded radio and TV in Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, The UK and Hong Kong and was in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery for some years working for SBS Radio.

John's Meridian and Disc Drive programs feature music from the wide variety of styles in the Artsound library - Jazz, standards, Folk, bright Classical, Roots and Blues. Throw in a sometimes-eclectic splashes of music and rarities from John's own Nostalgia and Odd Spot collections and it's a recipe for good entertainment. John is one of the presenters for Meridian weekends 12-2PM & Disc Drive Monday to Friday 5-7PM.

Jenni Knobel

Jenni has been involved with ArtSound for the past 9 years as Membership Officer and as a presenter for various programs. Her favourite genre is Jazz but since being an on-air presenter has expanded her musical horizons to Folk, Blues, World and Classical too. Jenni came to ArtSound after meeting a long lost friend (Kathy Syrette) who invited her to come to ArtSound to see "behind the scenes" how a community radio station operates. Jenni has also been A/g Office Manager and Board Member too. Jenni is one of the presenters for Disc Drive Monday to Friday 5-7PM, Dress Circle Sunday 5 to 6:30 pm, Sounds Early Monday to Friday 7-9AM, Meridian weekends 12-2PM, Ambient Moods Tuesday 10 to 12pm.

Christine Cansfield-Smith

Christine Cansfield-Smith has been a passionate volunteer and member of ArtSound FM for many years, formally serving as Board secretary and now presenting Sunday Sounds Early programs each week. During the day Christine works as Canberra’s CSIRO Discovery Centre Director, a public showcase and education centre for the public engagement of scientific research. She has lived in Townsville, the USA and Canberra for the last 12 years and is has recently finished her Masters in Management with the ANU. Christine’s hobbies include trekking and botanical art which fits in perfectly with her current position as Director of the Canberra Institute of Botanical Art and the Beechworth Institute of Botanical Art. Luckily for ArtSound she still finds time for music and therein lies her link to ‘the best radio station in Australia'. Sounds Early Monday to Friday 7-9AM and Disc Drive Monday to Friday 5PM - 7PM.

David Pearson

ArtSound's current Broadcast Coordinator, David has a passion for world/folk music, and can be heard on 92.7 presenting programs ranging from Afro beat to Zydeco. Such is his passion for music listening; his family believes that he was born with a pair of Sennheiser headphones permanently attached to his head. David dreams one day of convincing ArtSound management to build an ArtSound FM repeater transmitter in County Donegal, Ireland, and to amend the Broadcast Coordinator's job description to feature regular inspections of it! David is one of the presenters for World Vibe Monday to Friday7 to 8pm and Down in the Basement Monday to Friday 8 to 10 pm.

Peter Field

M Def Stud, B. Com, Grad Dip App Sc (Information Technology)
Peter came to Canberra from Sydney with his wife and young daughter in 1974/75 to join The Treasury. His career includes market research and corporate planning in private enterprise in Sydney, and as a member of the Senior Executive Service in the Departments of Industry & Commerce, Transport & Communications and Communications & the Arts in Canberra. In the mid 1980s and before self government for the ACT he was Executive Director of the Canberra Development Board. He is a strong believer in voluntary community service and has been a volunteer at the Australian War Memorial for many years and is also a Guide at the National Gallery of Australia. Peter is keenly interested in all forms of music. "I want to see ArtSound grow and prosper, taking its unique message to an ever growing audience." Peter is one of the presenters for Down in the Basement Monday to Friday 8 to 10 pm, Classical Mood Monday to Friday 1:30 to 3PM, Ambient Moods and CD Collector 5 to 6pm Saturdays.

Eric Harrison

After Eric retired for the third time (twice from Private Sector management and once from the Public Sector), he had sufficient time on my hands to indulge myself in my passions - wine, food, classical music and cats. Eric was invited to consider becoming a Presenter at ArtSound FM and after a bit of mentoring went on air in 2003 and has settled into a regular weekly Classical Mood spot with occasional Sounds Classical programs thrown in. Bye the way - the kittens name is Rachmaninoff. Eric is one of the presenters for Classical Mood Monday to Friday 1:30 to 3pm, Sounds Classical Sunday 2 to 4pm.

Frank Madrid

Frank Madrid is a Venezuelan journalist and music producer who regularly tours international acts. As a DJ he takes his "adventures in future World beats" to venues such as Hippo Bar, Trinity, The Basement and The Studio at the Sydney Opera House. His favourite music includes retro sambas and alterlatin, folk-electronica and ethnic drum n base, intelligent world beats and quirky classics, edgy world music that pushes the boundaries and defies classification, rarely heard on Australian radio. Frank is one of the presenters for World Vibe Monday to Friday7 to 8pm.

Colleen Hills

Colleen Hills is a long term Canberran and passionate music lover with wide ranging interests including travel, gardening, crochet and community volunteering. She also plans to trawl through all seventy vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula. Colleen is a devoted fan of football teams Brumbies and Carlton and can be counted on to provide interesting commentary on her teams' performances - especially when they lose. Colleen is one of the presenters for Disc Drive Monday to Friday 5-7PM, Sounds Early Monday to Friday 7-9AM, Meridian weekends 12-2PM, and Classical Mood alternate Thursdays 1.30 to 3.00pm.

Lucy Baker

Lucy is a Canberran until she can exile herself in WA in about a decade's time due to the persistently intense call of other South Africans and some decent biltong, Lucy is a travel junkie, screenwriter and clinical hypnotherapist with previous existences as a Johannesburg nurse in a starched uniform, London magazine editor, Frankfurt travel correspondent and pizza chef (until she began to look like one). Lucy has been with Artsound for about four years and enjoys a cult following to her late night Wednesday show, a Kaleidoscope of Blues, Rock and Comedy. Lucy is the presenter for Kaleidoscope Wednesday 10-12PM & Sitting in the Back Row, Sat 6-6:30pm.

Terry Giesecke

Terry has been involved with ArtSound since 2001, and previously with TripleS and 2XX. He was board member of ArtSound for 2003/2005. Originally from South Australia, Terry moved to the ACT 1972 and never left. He is an Economist by trade but has always enjoyed radio and taking on his alter-ego 'terryg' while on-air. Terry studied economics at Flinders University and still works in that field occasionally. He loves music with a bit of an edge; be it pop, folk, jazz classical or world and is interested in the visual arts as well as being crazy about time travel movies and television shows. Terry is a regular presenter of Sounds Early (7-9am) on Wednesday mornings.

Jacqui Knobel

Jacqui has been a member of ArtSound since 2003, presenting “Down in the Basement”, “CD Collector”, and “Meridian” programs. Her other important role is as CD of the Week co-ordinator, which gives members the chance to win CDs of ArtSound's artist of the week. Away from ArtSound, Jacqui has worked in a number of Commonwealth Departments since 1989 including her current role at the Australian Electoral Commission in Project Management. She also breeds and shows Welsh Mountain Ponies and is a Branch Director/ Treasurer/ Secretary for the United Palomino White Buckskin Dun Association. Jacqui also supports Opera in the ACT and has been a committee member of Friends of Opera since 2002. She is an avid fan of Jazz and British Comedies and cricket.

Jon Millard

Jon is a classically trained flute player and singer, his musical interests ranging from singing Opera and playing Jazz to his love of Irish music. (He performs with the Canberra Ceili Band among others.) This musical eclecticism is evident in his presenting shows such as Patchwork Sunday 10 am to 12 pm and Weekend Meridian 12 to 2 pm as well as classical music programs from time to time.

Deborah Hamilton

Deborah presents world vibe and music mix shows. She loves all musical forms, and is a sucker for great voices and lyrics. Previously a presenter for Down in the Basement for a number of years, Deborah enjoys Opera and country blues equally. Sharing the music she loves over the airwaves give her the energy and inspiration to deal with a demanding day job. In her spare time Deborah makes art and gardens, sings Blues and Jazz and sees as much live theatre and performance as possible. Deborah is one of the presenters for World Vibe Monday to Friday7 to 8pm.

Annabel Wheeler

Annabel has been involved with choirs and sundry (mainly classical) music groups since she arrived in Canberra as a postgraduate student in1969. She discovered ArtSound (then CSPR) back in 1989 when it was broadcasting only for a few weeks each year. Soon she was hooked on recording everything from classics to cabaret and now enjoys presenting a range of music on air with special emphasis on the local classical music scene. Annabel is one of the presenters for Sounds Classical Sunday 2 to 4pm and Concert Hall Saturday 7 to 9pm.

Phil Birch-Marston

Phil has a long history of involvement in the performing arts for over 40 years. Heavily involved in Community Arts in Canberra since 1973, he was a foundation member of Blue Folk Community Arts Association and a Board Member for a number of years. He has also worked as a script writer and scripted an internationally syndicated strip panel cartoon that appeared in newspapers in Australia, the United States and several European countries. Phil has been heavily involved with ArtSound FM since 1994 when he left the Australian Public Service. He currently works on voluntary, basis in the office and presents live-to-air shows. He has been a Canberra resident since 1974. Phil is one of the presenters for Sounds Early Monday to Friday 7-9AM, Arts Cafe 12 to 1pm Monday-Friday, and Aladdin's Cave, Kaleidoscope, Sitting in the Back Row, Sat 6-6:30pm. Saturday 11pm-1am.

Clinton White

Clinton's endeavours in the world of the arts are purely part-time, amateur and for pleasure. Even so, he leads a busy life in that field, apart from a host of other activities in business and the community. His efforts in the arts have included concert performances featuring the cinema organ as well as piano and choral conducting, and has adjudicated music competitions. As well, he has accompanied silent films, has been a concert manager, magazine editor, concert tour organiser for international artists and involved in organising national and international music conventions. Clinton caught the community radio bug when he joined ArtSound in 1983. As well as being a volunteer presenter, he trains new presenters in the art of voice technique. He is the regular presenter for Friday Sounds Early (7-9am), and presents a range of specialist programs in jazz, classical music and music theatre.

Jim Mooney

Jim Mooney has been on the committees and boards of various organisations in the ACT over many years. These have included: committee member of the Management Committee of the Griffin Centre, committee member of the Recorded Music Society, President of the North/South Social Club Canberra, committee member of the ACT Lieder Society and board member of ArtSound FM. Before retiring, Jim was a controller at David Jones in Sydney and London and later at both David Jones and Myer in Melbourne. At present he is Arts Liaison Coordinator for ArtSound FM. Jim, is a passionate music lover and is proud to have given the pre-concert talk for the Canberra Symphony Orchestra at the orchestra concert on 30th June 2005. Jim is one of the presenters for Classical Mood Monday to Friday 1:30 to 3PM, Vocal Chords Saturday 4 to 5pm.

Krista Schmeling

Krista has been interested in community radio for many years, and is now an experienced presenter after co-presenting Route 927 for a season. She loves many kinds of music, but has a special interest in world music and old-time, gospel-inspired and country Americana. Krista is excited to be presenting the brand new roots and acoustic program 'Bluebird' on Friday nights between 10- midnight.

Ian McLean

Ian manages and conducts the Canberra Pops Orchestra which he founded in 2005. He is a renowned musical theatre conductor and has directed over 20 productions for the Canberra Philharmonic Society and the Canberra Theatre Trust including "Cats" and "The Producers" in 2007. Ian is Musical director of the Blamey Street Big Band, plays drums with numerous jazz bands, teaches music at Radford College, and is a judge for the Canberra area theatre awards. Ian has twice been awarded the Canberra Critics Circle Award for Music for his "outstanding contribution to the musical life of Canberra". Ian regularly presents the Saturday morning "Sounds Early" program and is a member of the ArtSound Board.

Jeremy Rossiter

Jeremy has been told from a young age that he has a great face for radio. But despite that encouragement he got involved anyway and loves it! At some point he's going to have a life but unitl then you can hear him on Disk Drive, World Vibe, Down in the Basement and the Weekend Arts Diary.

Don Thomas

Although Don had a love for music from an early age his involvement was always limited to passive listening. After retiring to his hobby farm, complete with bicycles, goats and his dog, he decided it was time to explore his love of jazz and blues. Don now spends his spare time in the air-conditioned comfort of ArtSound’s CD library and occasionally gets let out to play classical music for the enjoyment of the wonderful listening public

Listen to Don on Classical Mood from 1.30 to 3.00pm every second Monday.

Mick O'Donnell

Mick O'Donnell began announcing in Sydney after graduating from the Max Rowley School of Radio & TV in the late 70's. He joined ArtSound in 2006 and was the narration behind the National Art Gallery exhibitions including the Egyption Antiquities and the George W Lambert displays, and many voice-overs, commercials and promos. His interest is in programs that are informative, insightful and middle-of-the road easy listening music particularly late night cafe and lounge jazz.

Gerry Kay

Gerry Kay has recently retired after spending more than 30 years in uniform, firstly as a private soldier doing national service, then as a commissioned officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. In his spare time he has been involved in theatrical productions and radio work, and he was the second President of Katherine Community Radio (now 8KTN) in the Northern Territory. Apart from presenting programmes to air, Gerry was involved in organising the procurement of the station’s transmitters, and the submission to the then Department of Communication for the licence to broadcast. Gerry is an active member of ArtSound’s Audio Services Department. When not slaving over a hot tape recorder, he enjoys digital photography and keeping his 1963 Morris Mini in concourse condition.

Gerry is one of the presenters on Classical Mood 1.30 to 3.00pm weekdays and on Arts Cafe from 12.00 to 1.00pm weekdays.

Lauren Black

Lauren discovered ArtSound FM while studying journalism at the University of Canberra. Armed with enthusiasm and a love for the arts she join the team as their publications officer and became editor of the quarterly Fine Tuning Program Guide and Website. Soon after Lauren took the plunge into presenting and hasn't looked back. She joined the teams of Sounds Early and Down in the Basement Programs and now co-produces and presents Friday Night Live (8-10pm) with Chris Deacon.

Recently graduated, Lauren separates her time between working for Austrade's Corporate Marketing and Communications Unit, singing for a 20 piece swing big band; In Full Swing and travelling to weird and wonderful places.

Bill Stephens

One of the region's best known theatrical personalities, Bill was the proprietor of Australia's longest running cabaret venue The School of Arts Cafe for 15 years. During that time he produced the 1995 ARIA nominated CD series, Legends of Australian Showbiz at The School of Arts Cafe. Since its clocure, Bill has kept busy with the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, writing reviews for City News and as an interviewer for the NLA's Oral History Program.

Currently Bill is curator for the Street Theatre's Caberet Creme series of monthly cabaret performances and a presenter of Dress Circle programs on ArtSound between 5.00 and 6.30pm Sundays. The program features music from Broadway, film and cabaret.

Alison Spence

Alison doesn't know where her obsession with music began. It could be from her Irish Gypsy roots or her banjo and harmonica playing grandfather. Her musical tastes are diverse, yet linked by six degrees of genre, and go something like this... Reggae, Dub, Ska, Rockabilly, Neo-Surf, Gypsy Punk, Zydeco, Desert Blues, Blues, Soul, Funk, Swing and Jazz.

Alison presents World Vibe and Down In The Basement fortnightly and Kaleidoscope monthly. She plays the harmonica... badly.

Graham McDonald

Graham has been presenting folk music on community radio since 1976, which might well make him the second longest lasting broadcaster of this music in the country. He has been a taxi driver, community radio employee, arts administrator, mandolin builder, folk festival organizer and currently collects sound recordings of all sorts for the National Film and Sound Archive. He has been involved in ArtSound since 1991 when he moved to Canberra and spent several years on the Board. He has a longstanding passion for folk music in its many forms, and has written about music for the Canberra Times over the past fifteen years. Graham presents Folk on Sunday (Sunday, 7-8pm), a weekly progam of newly released folk recordings and occasionally some old ones.

Francis Mahanay

Francis has had many careers in his life time including trainee retail store manager, composito, proofreader and public servant. He grew up in Sydney but has lived and worked in Canberra and Wollongong for the past twenty-eight years as a primary school teacher and is now an executive member of the NSW/ACT IEU (Independent Education Union). His interests include wine, arthouse movies, visual arts, and jazz music and it was the latter that attracted him to community radio. Although his first years in radio were spent at another station, ArtSound FM is where he always imagined he would find kindred spirits. Francis thoroughly enjoys presenting Down in the Basement on Firday Evenings (8-10pm) as he loves to relax and listen to good music after a busy week at work. While he takes pride in presenting good local, contemporary jazz, he also loves to offer a broader spectrum of jazz to his listeners.