WQXR Names Jacqui Cheng Editor-in-Chief, Music
(New York, NY – February 4, 2019) – WQXR – New York City’s only all-classical music station – today announced that Jacqui Cheng will join as its first ever Editor-in-Chief, Music.
In this newly created role, Cheng will develop and execute both editorial and digital content strategies to expand WQXR’s reach to new and diverse audiences. Drawing on her extensive experience in journalism, Cheng will lead a team of digital producers, editors, and writers; define editorial style and standards; and develop stories championing the role of classical music in contemporary culture. She will partner with the station’s programming, digital product, and design teams to ensure consistency on air and online across websites, apps, and social platforms. Cheng will report to Shannon Connolly, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Music at New York Public Radio.
“Jacqui is a digital native, editor, and content creator with experience building brands and scaling them to millions of readers,” said Connolly. “When you combine that with her expertise and passion for classical music, you have the perfect leader to take classical music into its digital future.”
“I’m excited to join WQXR as its first Editor-in-Chief, Music in order to widen the world of classical music to as many humans as possible—especially those who are looking to get their feet wet,” said Cheng. “With this new position, my lifelong love of classical music will become intertwined with my experience building best-in-class digital media brands. I love listening to the questions and observations that people have about classical music when they’re speaking freely at a party or at a coffee shop, outside the traditional confines that we’ve come to expect. What excites me most about joining Shannon and this team is the opportunity to expand the audience that already exists for classical music and to invite new listeners in.”
Most recently, Cheng served as Editor-in-Chief of Wirecutter, propelling it from an independent media organization into the top recommendation engine acquired by The New York Times in 2016. Prior to Wirecutter, Cheng was Editor-at-Large at Ars Technica and was part of the early team that led the company to become a top tier Condé Nast brand in 2008. She has played the violin for more than three decades and currently performs with the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra.
ABOUT WQXR
WQXR 105.9 FM, which streams live at www.wqxr.org, is New York City’s only all-classical music station, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life. WQXR presents new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, among other venues. WQXR also broadcasts essential destination programs including New York Philharmonic This Week and Young Artists Showcase.For listeners in search of the new, WQXR operates New Sounds, a hand-crafted, genre-free home for the musically curious, with a 24/7 radio station, a slate of podcasts, and live video sessions with dynamic and emerging artists, all available at newsounds.org. Operavore is WQXR’s opera site featuring news, interviews, and commentaries from the world of opera, as well as a 24/7 all-opera stream. WQXR.org provides essential playlist information and online listening, as well as original content, host blogs, NYC cultural news, and videos. The station’s free mobile app allows listeners to take WQXR with them wherever they go. As a public radio station, WQXR is supported by the generosity of its members and sponsors, making classical music relevant, accessible and inspiring for listeners in New York City and around the globe.