The Infinite Dial

Title: Music Director / Internship Coordinator, WPGC 95.5 FM

Who is Talya?" Born and raised in Washington D.C. Attended private school in my elementary and high school education. Attended Drexel University in Philadelphia. Graduated in June 2005. Held several internships during my college years: Fox 5 televison station in DC (sales and Creative Services department)....WPGC 95.5 (promotions department and later hired during college to work in promotions) ...MTV Networks for TV Land and Nick @ Nite as production assistant intern in the creative services department.

Hired at WPGC in 2005 and has been climbing the radio ladder since! (Started as programming assistant, to assistant music director, to music director.) Have worked and been trained under the industry's best (Jay Stevens- Senior VP of Programming Content of Radio One, Reggie Rouse - VP of Urban programming of CBS Radio, Program Director of WVEE and WAOK in Atlanta, and Skip Dillard OM of WBLS and WLIB in New York. I continue to learn and grow in the industry!!!"

What would your dream job be? "With the uncertainty of radio's future, I would like to be one of the people that re-define radio to a level where it will continue to exist for years to come (especially with the daily growth of the digital world and new age technology)"

Who has been your greatest influence? "Any person who as a vision and take every step necessary to make it happen in spite of adversity. Any individual who takes a talent and flips it into a brand. Any individual who takes something that seems impossible and makes it possible."

What is the one format that you can't believe nobody has done? "A new version of the old school.... People 30 and over are being displaced. The current version of the old school (Example: The Old Jays, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Patti Labelle etc) is becoming too old. People 30 and over grew up on music moguls such as Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Queen Latifah, Mc Lyte etc. There is not a new version of this old school momentarily."

How could radio do a better job of attracting younger listeners? "Embrace the latest technology early...Accepting that radio is not the only source to get music (especially new music) first... Selling the concept of satellite radio (I.E. XM and Sirius) under the umbrella of mainstream radio..... Sell the concept of having new music and variety in music while staying within the basic concept radio was built upon.... Continue to groom young, up and coming on air talent, board ops, MD's etc to keep a young edge, sound and presence through your airwaves. Station should also continue to have a strong and innovative sales team that can sell the creative concepts and ideas of programming department to maintain the attraction of young and older listeners."

How will radio remain relevant in a digital world? "The web is a major factor in the longevity of radio in the future. Stations websites should be able to compete with top brand websites by providing up to the minute music, fashion, news, pop culture and video content information... The web should serve as the visual projection of your radio station. It should visually reflect the sound, concept, and brand of your station."