John Fitzgerald Kennedy Gallagher is the newest addition to the New Classical 96.3 fm line-up. A 25-year on-air veteran of the Toronto airwaves on both TV and radio, John's got decades of morning show experience with the biggest and most successful teams in Canada. John is also a Foster Hewitt award winner, nine-time Toronto Sun Readers' Choice winner, RPM magazine gold medal winner, and host of the #1 talk show in the country, "Gallagher" on TSN. That, and of course, 15 years under Moses Znaimer's helm at Citytv.

John is an avid collector of music, with over 4,000 CDs and LPs, many of them classical, as part of a massive library. He's a news, information, and pop culture junkie, a self-described "foodie," and a closet wine expert who's hooked to the Food Network. He's also a world traveler, vacationing in such far away places as Sydney, Tokyo, Zurich, Paris, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin (dozens of times, chasing his Irish roots), not to mention 40 or so trips to a handful of Caribbean islands to upgrade that year-long tan.

He's the kind of person who wants to jump on his bike, like in the movie "Breaking Away," when Mendelssohn's "Italian" starts playing, or bounce on a trampoline like Geoffrey Rush in "Shine" while listening to Rachmaninoff's "Rach 3," or change the channel to NBC just to hear John William's news theme at 6:58 every night. Says Mr. Gallagher, "Step into the sun my friend, because this is the church of classical music, and every day is Sunday." Catch his eccentric take on the classics as he educates himself and takes you along for the ride.

“Kerry Stratton is an extroverted conductor and all the music followed his lead towards drama, contrast and clarity.” – Stanley Fefferman, Showtimemagazine.com

Orchestral conductor Kerry Stratton brings a new world dynamism to old world music. His performances are featured on some of the world’s top labels. He regularly visits Europe and Asia, performing and touring with many of its orchestras, and bringing some of the best of them to Canada on tour. He is music director for the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, a well-established summer arts festival, and founded and tours an orchestra, the Grand Salon, which is winning fans with the sophisticated and sensual salon music of the 1920s and ’30s. These are only some of the many sides of Kerry Stratton the musician.

In the course of his international career, Kerry Stratton has conducted orchestras in Europe, North America and Asia. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia alone, he has appeared with many orchestras, including the Bohemian Chamber Philharmonic and Slovak State Philharmonic. He served also as Principal Guest Conductor with the Karlsbad Symphony of the Czech Republic. Added to these are the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Zagreb Philharmonic, the Budapest Concert Orchestra, the Concert-Verein Orchestra of the famed Vienna Symphony, and more. In January 2001, he became the first Canadian to conduct the St. Petersburg Camerata in the Hermitage Theatre at the Winter Palace. Asian audiences have enjoyed his performances with the Prime Philharmonic in Seoul, Korea, the Beijing Symphony in the Forbidden City, and the National Symphony in Taiwan. His North American engagements have taken him to the Mexican State Symphony Orchestra, across the U.S.A., and to a number of Canada’s orchestras.

In his Toronto home base, since 1988 Kerry Stratton has been Conductor and Music Director of the Toronto Philharmonia, the orchestra-in-residence at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. During his tenure, Maestro Stratton has developed the orchestra from an amateur ensemble to a fully professional ensemble, with a season of main series concerts, educational programs, fundraisers and a province-wide touring schedule. The orchestra has introduced audiences to exciting young singers and instrumentalists, as well as such notable guest conductors as Italian film composer and conductor Alessio Vlad, and Leos Svarovsky of the Prague Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra also commissions and premieres works by Canadian composers. Three are coming up in 2007-08 alone -- Awakening, a concerto for erhu and orchestra by Lee Pui Ming; Requiem for Cecilia Zhang for children’s choirs and orchestra by Kousitsky; and Concerto for Orchestra by Serge Arcuri.

In June 2007, the Czech Republic honoured Maestro Stratton in Prague with its prestigious Gratias Agit Award. The prize is given to exceptional persons who have made a significant contribution to promoting Czech culture. Among the previous recipients are former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Czech film director Milos Forman (Amadeus); Czech-Canadian industrialist Tomas Bata; and Olympic Gold Medalist, cross-country skier Katerina Neumannova. A devotee of Eastern-European music and orchestras, with a particular fondness for Czech music, Maestro Stratton explains his affinity for things Czech: “There is something about the peculiar Czech melancholy which I find distinctly Irish,” adding, “Somehow, in Prague, I feel as if they know me. I am at home.” Even before his 2007 Award, his service to both Czech and Slovak culture earned him the Jan Masaryk Award in 2000 from the Czechoslovak Association of Canada. Music and musicians from Eastern Europe figure prominently in his recorded repertoire. Slavonic Serenades, on Dorian Records – which the Washington Post called “a delight” – features him conducting the Moscow Symphony in music by Czech and Russian composers. Also on Dorian is Alan Hovhaness’ Celestial Fantasy, in which Maestro Stratton conducts the Slovak Radio Orchestra. For ARS Produktion in Europe and Universal in North America, he leads the Prague Radio Orchestra in an all-Dvorak program. Committed to broadening the repertoire of both concert and recorded orchestral music, he also conducted the world premiere recording of Franz Liszt’s De Profundis with the Hungarian State Symphony on the Hungaroton label. Sony Korea is soon to release his all-Brahms CD with the Grammy Award-winning Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra.

Not content to confine himself to the standard repertoire, in 2006 Maestro Stratton founded the 21-piece Grand Salon, Canada’s Palm Court Orchestra. It recreates the elegant salon era of the early 20th century, with irresistible music by the likes of Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. A hit wherever it performs, the orchestra has even inspired audience members to leap up and dance to the infectious rhythms.

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts also enjoys the talents of Maestro Stratton, who has been its Music Director since 1992. Held in July in Ontario’s cottage country, the Festival features a professional orchestra-in-residence, accompanying acclaimed soloists. Maestro Stratton will conduct a Last Night at the Proms concert on July 22, 2007. He will also conduct a program called La belle époque at the Cedar Ridge Festival on August 11, 2007.

Kerry Stratton is on a lifelong mission to share his knowledge and passion with as wide an audience as possible. Through his company, International Touring Productions, he has created Canadian tours for such renowned orchestras as the Georg Solti Orchestra of Budapest; the Vienna Konzert-Verein and, in October 2007, the Czech Philharmonic. Arrangements are being finalized to bring over the Orchestra Internationale d’Italia in 2008. To help develop audiences and expand their appreciation of music, Maestro Stratton created a highly successful adult education course called A Little Night Music. Its innovative format offers lectures, discussions and live performances, in an intimate and non-intimidating atmosphere. Since launching in 1998, it has attracted more than 1,000 participants. Maestro Stratton grew up in rural Ontario, where his grandfather would redirect the television antenna –- in those days before cable TV –- across Lake Ontario at northern New York State, so that he could watch Leonard Bernstein’s famed orchestral concerts. His first instrument was the violin, but conducting was always his goal. After earning his degree in conducting from McGill University in Montreal, he went on to complete graduate studies at the Vienna Conservatory under Sir Charles Mackerras, the Academia Chigiana in Siena, Italy with Franco Ferrara, and L’École Pierre Monteux in Maine with Charles Bruck. Kerry Stratton sums up the joy of his life in music: “Irish poet Arthur William Edgar O’Shaughnessy wrote, ‘We are the music-makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.’ How fortunate to be able to work in this field and in a position to help other people dream their dreams.”

For more information, check www.kerrystratton.com and www.grandsalonorchestra.com.

MIKE DUNCAN

Born at a time when there was only one version of Star Trek, Mike Duncan has spent his entire life surrounded by--and loving--music. After stints studying Animation at Sheridan College and English Literature at Brock University, Mike joined the station in 1986, as an overnight operator. Since then, Mike’s positions have included producer, scriptwriter, music programmer, librarian, commercial voice and on-air interviewer.

Outside of the radio field, Mike's interests include paleontology, fishing, ice hockey, the continuing adventures of the JLA, Canadian history and the collected works of Lloyd Cole. Mike is also an accomplished freelance illustrator with five books and several ad campaigns to his credit. His current position as Music Director and co-host of Good Day GTA brings him full circle and enables him to bring to listeners the music that he loves.l, weekdays from 5am until 10am.

JEAN STILWELL

Jean Stilwell, hailed on three continents for her complex portrayal of Carmen, is at the forefront of this generation's mezzo-sopranos. In Keith Warner's daring production of CARMEN for Minnesota Opera and Opera Ontario, Ms. Stilwell's "riveting" performance of the title role was praised for "mesmerizing stage presence and her dangerous sounding, husky mezzo ... vocally rich and powerful."

Since first assuming the role in Vancouver, Bizet's fascinating gypsy has opened many doors for Ms. Stilwell and she has appeared with the Buxton Festival, New York City Opera, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, Opera Zuid of Holland, Connecticut Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, and all the opera companies of Canada. Now, together with pianist and writer Patti Loach, Ms. Stilwell steps out of the opera hall and onto the cabaret stage with all of her usual elegance, wit and aplomb. The result is Carmen Unzipped, a CD and live show that unzips our perceptions of how a diva should sound...or look...or behave.

Ms. Stilwell is thrilled to bring her unique talents, experience and perspective to THE NEW CLASSICAL 96.3 FM as co-host of Good Day GTA: Classical Breakfast with Mike Duncan and Jean Stilwell, weekdays from 5am until 10am.

After having been away from broadcasting for a number of years, Brian Hatchell finds himself once again working in his first love, radio.

Brian started out on the airwaves in the early 90’s working as a news reporter and anchor in Tillsonburg, Owen Sound and Orangeville. It didn’t take long before the television bug hit, and Brian moved out to Manitoba to start his career on the small screen. After stints in Dauphin, Manitoba, Sault Ste. Marie and Windsor, Ontario, Brian was lured to the ‘Big Smoke’ and a job at Global Television.

After reporting on the international humanitarian response for Hurricane Mitch in Honduras, Brian was invited to leave the world of corporate broadcasting and travel the globe as a videographer for World Vision Canada. The opportunity was one he couldn’t turn down.

After numerous trips to Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Central and South America, Brian packed up his family and moved to Sri Lanka to take part in post-tsunami reconstruction initiatives with the Red Cross. In the fall of 2006, Brian returned to Canada with his wife Kasia and their son Krystian. Brian and his wife has just recently given birth to their second son, Ethan Alexander.

He brings a wealth of journalistic and international experience to his position as weekend news anchor at Classical 96.3 FM.

Michael Kramer's on-air life began in Oakville where he hosted a nightly classical music program and, on weekends, the Saturday night rock show. After working at stations in Hamilton and Montreal, he moved to Toronto, where he spent 15 years with CBC Radio.

Michael is an award-winning narrator. One of his highest honours was winning the C.N.I.B. Talking Book of The Year Award for his narration of Timothy Findley's Not Wanted On The Voyage. He has also performed in film and television. His theatre credits range from Shakespeare to Shanley. He once appeared at the Edinburgh Festival on stilts.

In his spare time Michael enjoys theatre and concert performances, cycling and an occasional trip to the golf course.

Kevin's love of music went beyond listening, to playing when he purchased his first drum kit in his teens in Sault Ste. Marie. After a time Kevin realized his talent lay elsewhere. Theatre beckoned and Kevin responded enthusiastically. It was not long before Kevin learned that his talent lay elsewhere. Television beckoned and Kevin responded, learning that he had the perfect face for radio!

The West Coast beckoned so Kevin set off for adventure on the shores of the Pacific. But a funny thing happened on his way to Vancouver. Kevin went east, arriving in St. John's, Newfoundland. Four years and many wonderful friends later Kevin arrived in Halifax where he continued his career as a broadcast journalist. Kevin has been a broadcast journalist in Toronto for fifteen years. He brings many years of experience in news and programming to THE NEW CLASSICAL 96.3 FM. His aim is to serve THE NEW CLASSICAL 96.3 FM audience with news and business reports that are accurate and up to date.

Libby Znaimer is a prominent Canadian journalist specializing in business, politics, and lifestyle issues. After working in television broadcasting for two decades, she joined The New Classical 96.3 FM as Vice-President of News and Information last year. She is producing and hosting The Zoomer Report, a special feature on all topics of interest to the baby boom generation – It will cover everything from health and wealth, to leisure and volunteerism, from the special vantage point of the generation that has changed society in its wake.

Libby contributes to numerous publications including the National Post, where wrote a popular series on breast cancer called “The Lump.” Her first book, In Cancerland – Living Well Is The Best Revenge – will be published by Key Porter in October.

Libby broke into print journalism with The Associated Press in Tel Aviv. She then moved into television, with stints at Global Television, KSTP-TV in Minneapolis, and WNBC in New York. She covered Parliament Hill for three years, then moved to reported and anchoring daily news coverage for ground-breaking television stations Citytv and CablePulse 24. She was also an on-air host for ROBtv (now Business News Network).

Kathleen Kajioka has achieved a reputation as a musical multilinguist, moving between worlds with agility and uncompromising depth. Kathleen appears regularly as a baroque violist and violinist with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, as a modern violist with the critically acclaimed Via Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, and as a Middle Eastern violinist with Maryem Tollar, the Arabesque Orchestra and Maza Mezé. Always open for a swing through the pop world, Kathleen has recorded for the likes of Jesse Cook, Luke Doucet and K-os.

Born and raised in Toronto, Kathleen pursued studies on scholarship at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, under founding Cleveland Quartet violist, Martha Strongin-Katz. Upon her return to Toronto, Kathleen immediately began performing with most of this city’s venerable classical music institutions; however, her restless curiosity has led her to develop an unusually broad musical range. The recipient of several arts council grants, her studies of modern, Baroque, Medieval and Middle Eastern music have taken her to the US, France and Egypt.

Through both her studies and her professional life, Kathleen has had contact with many of the world’s pre-eminent musicians, including Rivka Golani, Judy Loman, Anton Kuerti, Robert Levin, Bruno Weil, Edgar Meyer, the Gryphon Trio, the St. Lawrence, Colorado and Cleveland Quartets, Simon Shaheen, Björk, Olivia Newton-John, Smokey Robinson, and many more.

Arlene Meadows first began taping radio shows on Sunday mornings at her breakfast table, 20 years ago. Since then, Arlene's voice has become much loved by our many listeners. For over 40 years Arlene has enjoyed the life of a performing artist and is now known as one of the veterans of the Canadian artistic scene.

Arlene's performance experience runs the gamut from stage to film and television and includes the world of opera, musicals and cabaret, including Broadway and Carnegie Hall.

Good news for those who have been writing requesting information on Arlene Meadows CDs. Finally, you can hear her sing! David Walden's critically acclaimed A Night at the Grand, starring Arlene Meadows, is now available on CD. It is a live recording from Brock University (part of their Canadian tour), and was dubbed "a roller coaster of emotion."

For further laughs, hear Walden and Meadows read selections from his latest book, How to Stay Awake During Anybody's Second Movement. CDs can be ordered by E-mail at shirley@rdrmusic.com, or phone 416-445-2500 or 1-800-557-3723.

Michael’s journey started as a classical clarinetist. He did his advanced study at the University of Western Ontario in London and Northwestern University in Chicago. Michael received a Canada Council grant for performance study to study at the Guildhall School of Music in London, England in 1981.

He has been an Assistant Professor of Music at both Laurentian University and the University of Victoria.

As a professional clarinetist, he has been a member of Orchestra London Canada and the Pacific Wind Quintet in Victoria, and been broadcast many times on CBC Radio performing with many of Canada’s finest musicians.

As a conductor, he founded and led the Laurentian University Jazz Ensemble and the University of Victoria Wind Symphony. He has guest conducted the Toronto Philharmonia and is the founding Music Director of La Jenuesse Youth Orchestra.