George Evano, General Manager
George has worked in communications and marketing for the University of Oregon since 1992. During 21 years as the marketing director for UO’s Oregon Bach Festival, he directed record-setting ticket sales campaigns and produced marketing materials that won Telly, Summit, and International Graphics Competition awards. He co-produced and narrated the festival’s “Great Moments in Music” radio series that aired on KWAX for ten years. Most recently for the UO, he served as publisher of Oregon Quarterly magazine and as managing editor of the Around the O news website. He has worked for radio stations in Buckhannon and Huntington, West Virginia and for NPR-affiliate KUNM in Albuquerque. An avid jazz fan, George has been spotted playing his tenor sax at local jam sessions.
Rocky Lamanna, Program and Operations Director
Rocky is familiar to long time listeners as one of the daytime voices of KWAX Classical Oregon. He has served in various capacities since joining the station in 1988 as producer and engineer of the Oregon Sports Networks broadcasts. He became the full-time OSN production director in 1990 and started hosting classical music programs on weekends in 1991. Taking on more responsibilities over the years, he has served KWAX as operations director and manager of development and underwriting. Most recently, he became Program and Operations Director along with his daily duties as on-air host. Born in Detroit, Rocky's first radio job was in 1983 with his high school station WBLD of Bloomfield, Mich. Rocky graduated the University of Oregon in 1990 with a degree in Telecommunications and Film. While in college he worked for KUGN AM/FM of Eugene.
Kimberly Powell, Staff Announcer and Operations Assistant
Kimberly joined KWAX in February 2025. She enjoys a multi-faceted career in classical music; most recently serving as the Director of Programming at Classical KUCO in Oklahoma City. Distinguishing herself on the air with a resonant voice and polished personal style, her groundbreaking broadcasts garnered her profiles in leading Oklahoma digital and print media, a Governor’s Media in the Arts Award, and commendations from the Oklahoma Legislature. Recognized as a savvy and thoughtful interviewer, her guests have included many of the world’s leading musical artists as well as the esteemed radio broadcaster Bill McGlaughlin. Kimberly comes to classical music radio with 25 years of work as a professional pianist and finds inspiration in the visual, literary and culinary arts, and in the company of her charming cat Cecile.
Caitriona Bolster, Music Director Emeritus
Caitriona came from Ireland in 1966 to study Music History at Yale. After earning an M.Phil degree, she became the Assistant Director of Yale Oral History of American Music, the first, and now leading project of its kind. She conducted over 60 interviews with friends, colleagues, and students of composer Paul Hindemith during his years in the US. She was music director from 1977 to 1980 for KERA-FM in Dallas before moving to Australia, where she worked at the Australian National University. After settling in Eugene in 1983, she served the Oregon Mozart Players as general manager before joining KWAX as music director in 1986. At KWAX, in addition to hosting a daily music program, she conducted and produced interviews with several hundred musicians and artists. She won a national audition to serve as broadcast host of Mozartwoche (Salzburg’s winter Mozart festival); produced and narrated 26 nationally broadcast programs for the 1997 Van Cliburn International Competition; and narrated four national broadcasts from the Oregon Bach Festival, all in conjunction with WCLV in Cleveland. Caitriona began her musical life as a pianist and grew up listening to classical music on the radio.