Meet the Team

Classic107 is a group of dedicated professionals bringing you the best in classical & jazz music and your connection to Winnipeg news, weather, arts and culture.

Daily on Classic 107 FM, you’ll hear the best classical and jazz music, all the local information you need to know, interviews from local artists, and more.

At Classic107.com, you’ll find your news, weather, and local news from the Winnipeg arts and culture scene.


Your Hosts

Simeon Rusnak

Equally comfortable talking about Mozart or megapixels, Simeon Rusnak is a storyteller.

As an on-air host with Winnipeg’s Classic 107, Simeon relates stories of music’s past and interviews the talent of today on "Morning Light". While completing a Degree in Music History at the University of Manitoba (2014), Simeon discovered a passion for photography and earned a Diploma from PrairieView School of Photography the following year. From the local to national level, Simeon has captured and conveyed a sense of story and connection through a visual medium working with subjects, brands, companies, and publications.

Simeon is a proud Ukrainian-Canadian, chooses comfort over style, and can ride a unicycle.

Chris Wolf

From the moment it was decided that Golden West Radio would launch a classical music station, someone with an extensive amount of classical musical knowledge would be needed. Especially when dealing with a music library of. . . zero.

Enter Music Director and Diamond Lane host Christopher Wolf. A modern-day musical Spartacus, his authoritative command of the ever growing Classic 107 music library is nothing less than impressive, but not surprising. Christopher holds a Masters in Music (Performance) from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Music from Brandon University. He’s performed in master classes for Howard Klug, (Indiana University) James Campbell, (Indiana University) and Elsa Verdehr. (University of Michigan).

When he's not neck deep in program logs and CDs, Chris keeps up his own musical abilities as an award winning clarinet performer, teacher and clinician. He’s performed with the Arizona Opera Company, The Lyric Opera Orchestra of Phoenix, The Phoenix and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras, and The Air Command Band stationed here in Winnipeg.

Michelle Sawatzky

Michelle grew up in Steinbach, Manitoba where she attended the Steinbach Regional Secondary School and graduated in 1988. She led her volleyball team to the 1987 “AA”Provincial Championship. The starting setter on the 1989 Canada Summer Games Bronze Medalist Team, she was recruited to play with the University of Manitoba Lady Bisons from 1988 to 1993. At the University of Manitoba she was the starting setter as they won the National Championship in 1990, ’91 and ’92. Throughout her University career she garnered many personal awards – she was named CIAU Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992. In 1993, she was named the University of Manitoba Female Athlete of the year.

Internationally, May of 1993 marked the start of Michelle’s career as a member of the Senior National Team. In 1995, she was part of the bronze medal finish at the Pan American Games in Argentina. March of 1996 the team qualified for the Olympic Games and in July of that same year, the team finished 9th at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Michelle began her music studies at the piano when she was just 4 years old. Along the way, she competed with success in the Southeastern, Winnipeg, Provincial and National music festivals. She was a finalist in the 1993 Lawrence Genser competition, the winner of the 1993 Young Artist Series competition which saw her complete a 12-concert tour of Western Canada and many more. She graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Music in 1993 with a Bachelor of Music Piano Performance minoring in voice.

Michelle's "life team" is her husband of more than 26 years, Chris Koop and their 21-year-old twin boys, Paxton and Tyson. She has kept busy as part of Golden West Radio's "Morning Show" team for more than 26 years, she teaches 12 voice and piano students and most recently took on the role of 1st assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bison Women's volleyball team.

Since the Olympics, Michelle has been a motivational speaker and has shared her story across Canada and the United States. Hers is a story of overcoming obstacles and persevering “no matter what” to reach her dream.

Terry Klippenstein

In the years Terry Klippenstein has been with Golden West, his roles have been varied. In 2009, he took over the hosting role for classical programming on AM radio stations CFAM, AM 1250 and CJRB. When Classic 107 FM launched, he was thrilled to join the team as the host of Dinner Classics.

As a photographer, Terry is actively involved with Buffalo Creek Artists. He also anticipates another season of working behind the scenes with Southern Manitoba Concerts. An ideal start to his day involves freshly roasted, freshly ground and brewed medium roast coffee. With a side of toast covered with slices of tomato from the family garden.

Colleen Houde

Colleen has been a part of the Golden West Radio family for over eight years. Prior to coming here she was a videographer for A-Channel/City TV. Colleen has also done freelance work with CBC, TSN and a number of other local production companies.

Colleen loves spending every minute she can with her young family and in her spare time she enjoys photography, music and running.

Sylvia St. Cyr
Candace Derksen

Phone

Address

1-741 St. Mary's Road
Winnipeg, MB
R2M 3N5