Cheryl Dring

Classical 101 Program Director Cheryl Dring moved to Columbus in 2016, having worked in public radio since college. With stops in Austin, Madison, Dayton, Sacramento, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana, she has seen much of the country through the lens of public radio and local arts.

“While every community is different in some ways, what every station I’ve worked for has in common is the passion its listeners share for the music — and their commitment to having a local home for it on the radio,” Cheryl said. 

A lifelong bookworm, Cheryl headed off to college in Louisiana with the idea of becoming an English professor. Music soon took over, though, and the English major wound up getting a degree in vocal performance instead. Touring the world with her college choir stoked a love for travel and a curiosity about the world, both of which continue to this day.

She earned a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Louisiana State University, studying with the renowned Verdi soprano Martina Arroyo.

So, what do you do with a couple of music degrees and years of training in languages and writing? Well, classical music radio makes a lot of sense! What had been a part-time job during college and grad school eventually became a career path.

“People who’ve known me all my life are just glad I found a career in which talking is actually a job skill!” Cheryl said.

When not making radio, Cheryl enjoys gardening, cooking, exploring new restaurants, looking at historic homes and trying to keep up with the friends she has made across the country.