WDAV is dedicated to providing opportunities for young people to learn about the work we do here at the station, and allow students to gain experience and work collaboratively with our professional staff.
Each year, WDAV employs several Davidson College students throughout the school year in a variety of roles. They work on our website, offer creative ideas for social media, take donations during our fundraising campaigns, write innovative blog posts, and help us produce events.
During the summer, we hire two interns to work with us for ten weeks. These students get the chance to work with many departments and contribute meaningfully to WDAV during their tenure. Learn more about our two great interns for the summer below!
Meet Grace Matthews
I love music, books, history, and cooking. A fun fact is that I share a birthday with Leonard Bernstein.
When did you first get into classical music? / What’s your music background?
When I was young, my parents used to turn on classical music while I played, so I grew up with an affinity for the genre. When I was in elementary school, my father drove me to the bus stop each morning. We normally listened to the news or music on the radio, but one day, he turned on a CD of Puccini hits and told me that he thought I would like it. That was my first taste of opera – Luciano Pavarotti singing “Nessun Dorma” in a recording I have only heard once off that CD. The music drew out such strong emotion, and does to this day. My father took me to my first opera a few years later when I was eight – a screening of Maria Stuarda from La Scala. Someday I’d love to become an opera singer.
What sort of things do you do at WDAV?
All sorts of things! Each week I work on WDAV’s weekly eNews; update the Biscuits and Bach, Minute with Miles, and Concierto pages on the website; and do various administrative tasks like answering the phone, filing, and mailing membership benefits. I really enjoy working here.
Why did you want to work at the station?
The simplest answer is that I love WDAV. I think that it is an amazing service- 24 hour a day classical music for everyone with access to a radio or computer. In a world that is often very complicated, that is not. I wanted to learn more about how the station works, and to do whatever I could to help out.
What’s your favorite piece of music?
My favorite composers are Mozart, Donizetti, Rossini, and Handel, but recently I’ve been listening to a good bit of Bach and Jake Heggie. Some of my favorite pieces are Handel’s “Hallelujah, Amen,” Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus,” and the finale of Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony. My all-time favorite opera aria is “Tanti Affetti in tal Momento” from Rossini’s La Donna del Lago sung by Joyce Didonato. It is a wonderful piece for all occasions- as a confidence bolster before exams, as a way to celebrate, and everything in between.
What’s next? What’ll you be up to in the fall?
I’ll be attending Princeton University in the fall with an eye towards studying vocal performance and European history. Ultimately, I’d love to become a singer, professor of European history, or perhaps a curator. At this point I’m keeping my options relatively open.
Meet Noah Cline
I’m a recent college grad who grew up in Vale, NC. I went to UNC Greensboro where I studied music performance (flute) and communication studies. When I’m not at the station or practicing my instrument, I’m probably drinking coffee or heading to an amusement park for the day.
When did you first get into classical music? / What’s your music background?
I started piano lessons in fourth grade (inspired by Arthur, the cartoon aardvark on TV) but mostly played for fun. I picked up the flute in middle school band class, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
What sort of things do you do at WDAV?
A little bit of everything! From updating the website, taking listener phone calls, and hosting the Sunday church broadcasts, I’m getting an idea of what it takes to keep the station running from all angles.
Why did you want to work at the station?
Classical radio seemed like the perfect place to put both of my degrees to use. I grew up listening to WDAV, so when I saw an open internship, I applied right away.
What’s your favorite piece of music?
Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun is one of my favorites – it has a prominent flute solo, so I’m biased.
What’s next? What’ll you be up to in the fall?
In the fall I’ll be starting a Master’s degree in flute performance at Northwestern University. Chicago is one of my favorite cities, so I’m looking forward to making the move and building a life there!