Melisa and Natalie Forever: An Interview

by Ella Presiado

Melisa Nehrozoglu and Natalie Najar are two pillars of the WKCR community. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down (on the floor of Natalie’s dorm room) and talk about their time at WKCR and their friendship. Their love and care for each other as well as for WKCR was made clear in every answer they gave.

Hello!

M: Thank you for having us!

Can you guys introduce yourselves and describe your involvement in WKCR?

M: I am currently the Classical [Department] head at WKCR. I previously held the position as a sophomore in 2023, but then I went abroad and Anika held the position. But now I’m back before I graduate!

N: I’m the Latin [Department] head. I was also a part of protest coverage as a photojournalist last spring, and I do occasional concert reviews on the On Air guide.

I’m interviewing you guys together—you are kind of a known pair at WKCR. How has being a part of WKCR together impacted your friendship?

M: I feel like it has brought our circles closer together and made hanging out easier. Before Natalie joined WKCR, when they were abroad, it felt like I had made these new friends that I wanted to introduce to Natalie. Natalie joining made sense; we could do the same things together. It brought us closer.

Do you have a favorite memory of you two together at WKCR?

M: I have a lot. What comes to mind is kicking off the hip hop festival in 2023. That was so much fun! We were happy, the music was great, everyone was cracking jokes. It was perfect being there together and having fun. And the Mariachis!

N: For me it was that first time Melisa took me to the station. I was like, “My friend knows about this cool place, I have friends on the inside!” I remember feeling so cool, and our walk back home was so fun. I had basically shadowed her and really enjoyed my time at the station. I would also say having Mariachi Leones de Columbia [on Live Constructions], having my friends there to support me, and wearing the traditional Mexican garb together.

Can you share a bit about the Mariachi event? It was one of your bigger projects as Latin Head.

N: Yes, I met the Mariachi band [Mariachi Leones] the previous semester. I had been wanting to have them on Live Constructions—I was asking again and again, and finally the scheduling worked out. It was the biggest band we had ever had: there were thirteen band members, a full house. It was the first time we had ever had something like that.

For you, Natalie, a big reason you joined was because Melisa had become quite involved at the station. Melisa, what motivated you to become a part of WKCR?

M: I had known about WKCR when I applied to Barnard. The last half of high school I had really wanted to work in media, but I also knew I wanted to go to a liberal arts college. So I was excited that Columbia had the option to explore this through WCKR. I had wanted to join for a while, but I was really nervous. I guess I wanted to explore broadcasting, and in high school I had been increasing my “music literacy.” I thought WKCR would be a place to explore that. It just looked cool! I feel like that’s what we always say. It honestly shocked me that it took the recent protest coverage to make WKCR more known [around campus]. It almost felt lame to bring it up before.

Do you remember the first show you ever programmed?

N: Mine was Nueva Canción. I played Victor Jara.

M: Oh, my turn! Mine was the Loretta Lynn Memorial Broadcast in October 2022. I was supposed to do a classical show right after I got licensed, but I was afraid to come across as chicken if I didn’t step up. Special broadcasts are sometimes the best shows to start off with because all of the records are taken out of the library. It was good, but I was so nervous. I think back to my first show and wonder how I even did it!

N: You were brave! I had Melisa come and help me for my first show!

M: No, I thought you were brave!

Do you guys have a favorite show?

N: Yes! Afternoon New Music, even though it’s not my department. It pushes me to go into the library and find crazy-looking covers. Sometimes it’ll just be noise. But, it’s Afternoon New Music, so listeners expect that.

M: I honestly relate to that. My instinct is not to say a classical show, although I’ve had some beautiful moments playing symphonies on air and thinking, “Wow, this is so beautiful!” I’ve had the most fun doing special broadcasts. That’s not a recurring show, though. In terms of regular shows, I would say Middle Eastern Influences. I always play some guitar-driven Anatolian rock. It’s late at night, you’re hearing the guitar and some beautiful singing, the people for Offbeat come after you. It’s a nice setting and a fun type of exploration. The best shows to do are ones where you can program something you are really interested in and explore it further.

What changes have you noticed about WKCR during your time here?

M: Girl Power!

N: Yes! There are so many more Barnard people here now, it’s such a delight!

M: It’s become more established. People are bouncing around new ideas for the station’s future while also keeping the traditions that we value. It’s nice to see ideas that reflect the new people who are there and in charge. Our personalities come through in what we do. It’s becoming more colorful!

What will you miss most about WKCR?

N: The community! The station has become my third space. Having that, I love it. If I don’t want to be at school, work, or my room I can go to MOO and one of my friends will likely be there.

M: I know! Every time I have a good time at WKCR now, it reminds me of how this specific life I’m living now is temporary. I’m living in the present, but I think, “I love this moment so much, but I’ll never get it again.” I won’t be able to have the experience of living and breathing it. The alum experience will be good, but there will be a slight distance. I will miss the ability to really care about it in this way and indulge in curiosity in this way

Any closing thoughts?

N: Radio forever! Melisa and Natalie forever!

Melisa is the Classical Department Director and regular host of Cereal Music, 9:30 am-12 pm. Natalie is the Latin Department Director and regular host of Urbano Latinx, Tuesdays 12-1 am. Be sure to tune in!