WKZE Staff Directory
Will Baylies – General Manager, Program Director
Originally from Berkeley, California and then the small mountain town of Bishop, California, Will came to the Hudson Valley in 1999 to attend Bard College. While at Bard, Will, a radio junkie from the age of 7, volunteered with college station WXBC. Following graduation, he was working at a Red Hook sandwich shop where he met KZE owners Barb and Will Stanley. As they so often did over the years, Barb and Will decided to take a chance on an inexperienced but passionate young talent. Will began at KZE as essentially a glorified intern, then transitioning to Production Director and Afternoon Drive host before finally in 2022, moving into the role of General Manager & Program Director. Two of his favorite aspects of working at KZE are the opportunity to make community connections and to teach radio to new initiates. Aside from his passion for music, Will is an avid gardener, rugby enthusiast, and running partner to dog Gracie. Email Will at gm@wkze.com.
MK Scully – Afternoon Host, Promotions Director
MK began her career in radio at WDST, and also spent time at WFUV before joining KZE in 2022. She is passionate about supporting and promoting local music. After a childhood in northwest CT and a couple of formative years in NYC, she moved upstate around 2009 to attend SUNY New Paltz for International Relations and fell in love with the Hudson Valley. She provides lead vocals in local band Trailer Swift, and is also a professional wedding and events DJ. She lives near Kingston with her husband and dog, and enjoys running, live music, skiing, and studying French. Email MK at mk@wkze.com.
Adam Schartoff – Midday Host, Traffic Director
Adam has been the host of the Midday show since early 2022. Prior to that he worked for many years in both the music and film industries in New York City. He moved up to the Hudson Valley in 2020 and has never looked back. In addition to being one of the DJs at KZE, Adam is also the station’s Traffic Director. Outside of the station, he takes great pride in making music with others, helping local film festivals, podcasting, and –most of all– being Jake’s Dad. Email Adam at adam@wlze.com.
Brian Fores – Production Director, Evening Host
Brian worked in music licensing for over 15 years and has played in many bands, ranging from rock, pop, jazz and funk. The youngest in a large musical family, he began taking piano lessons from his mom at an early age. He went to Newark Arts High and the prep division of Manhattan School of Music. He holds a BA in Music from Fordham and an MA in Jazz History and Research from Rutgers. He is passionate about all things music technology, recording and live sound. When not sharing great music with others at KZE, he can be found working on tracks in his home studio and spending time with his wife, two kids and their two cats.
Rick Schneider – Up & Running Morning Host, Music Director
Paul Higgins – Sales Manager, Nightshade Host
Paul Higgins grew up in Kingston, NY. He started working as a DJ and Producer/Engineer in local radio stations and recording studios in the early 90s. In 2003 he decided an income might be a nice addition to his life, so he joined the KZE Sales team. Since then, Paul has creatively tended to the advertising and marketing needs of KZE advertisers, and has hosted “Nightshade” on Sunday evenings. As KZE’s Sales Manager Paul also trains & mentors his fellow sales reps, and serves as a de facto “Operations Advisor” for KZE management and ownership. Correspondence can be sent to paul@wkze.com.
Dave Keating – Account Executive, Weekend Host
Dave’s parents told him at an impressionable young age that he had “a face made for radio”. He took that encouragement to heart and got involved with his high school radio station in eastern Massachusetts. This started a 30 year love affair with radio. Over that time Dave has done just about every job in radio, whether that is on-air, production, sales and everything in-between. He has a background in Public Radio and in corporate PR. Joining the WKZE family is bringing life full circle for Dave as Will Stanley gave him his start in commercial radio many years ago at WRSI in Greenfield Massachusetts. Dave is excited to help his clients achieve their marketing goals and grow their businesses. Email Dave at dave@wkze.com.
Faith Barr – On Air Host, Showrunner: Sunday Brunch
Faith is the host of KZE’s Saturday afternoons and Sunday Brunch. A seeker fascinated by music, poetry, art, mysticism, breath, science and the power of stories, Faith relishes her time at the lighthouse that is KZE. Email Faith at faith@wkze.com.
Host of Movin’ & Groovin’ and Sunday afternoons. Starting way back in ’99 as an intern when the station was in Sharon, Ct., Corey embraced the opportunity of what WKZE is about and never looked back. A lover of all styles and genres, he’s always open to where music will take us next. Outside of music, he has a passion for cycling, hiking, snowboarding, exploring local restaurants, and film. Email Corey at corey@wkze.com.Alyssa Sciarrone – Promotions & Production Associate, Wednesday Evening & Saturday Afternoon On-Air Host
Alyssa is a 2025 SUNY New Paltz graduate who found her love for radio through the college’s station. At WFNP, she spent three years on air and one year as the station’s music director. In her time at SUNY New Paltz she earned her BA in Journalism, studied audio engineering, ran a live music organization (New Paltz Music Collective) and was the Arts & Entertainment Editor of the school’s newspaper, The Oracle. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she has made the Hudson Valley her home after falling in love with the thriving music scene. Her passions are all about live events, recording, concert photography, and supporting local music. At WKZE she manages the station’s social media presence, aids in production, web design, and is the on-air host Wednesday nights from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Email alyssa@wkze.com
Allison Stevens – Accounts Payable
Allison is the daughter of former owners Will and Barb Stanley. She considers herself a radio baby as she grew up in the radio world, often hanging out at the station as a kid. Allison lives in Western Mass with her three daughters. When she’s not working for KZE she volunteers at her local humane society as well as working at the legendary Iron Horse music hall in Northampton, MA where she gets to meet so many of the amazing artists we play! Among her duties at KZE is her managing the info@wkze.com account.
Wally Nichols – On Air Talent
Wally Nichols comes to WKZE as a working musician, screenwriter, inventor and former Atlantic Records employee. As a WKZE DJ, he’s constantly sniffing out catchy, important and powerful music to share. He lives on a Kerhonkson, NY horse farm with his human and canine family. Email Wally at wally@wkze.com.
Tryst La Noir – Host of Nighthawks
Tryst is a musician, singer-songwriter, DJ, and burlesque artist whose sound blends psychedelic gothic elements, blues and moody alternative with raw emotional intensity. Her original music carries a cinematic edge—haunting, sensual, and layered with atmosphere that mirrors the energy of her live stage shows.
As a performer, Tryst commands the stage with a fusion of grit and glamour, weaving music, movement, and theatricality into every set. Behind the decks, her DJ nights pulse with darkwave, post-punk, goth, new wave, and disco, creating high-energy dance floors rooted in both underground and classic sounds.
Through her Strangehouse Burlesque Shows and immersive dance events, Tryst has cultivated a reputation for dynamic, atmospheric nights that bring people together through sound, style, and raw expression! Creating a community for the strange, unusual and anyone who wants to be free on the dance floor! Inspiring those to be who they are and let go for the night!
DJ Ethical Drift – Host of House Music Radio
Ethical Drift weaves together the sonic textures of lo-fi Indie Rock, soulful Deep House, and sophisticated Acid Jazz forming a sound that is distinctly New York. A true meeting of high-class function and low-brow authenticity. With the release of his first project, a plunderphonics coded mixtape on the seminal Future Funk label, Coraspect Records, followed by a continuous stream of independent digital singles and EPs, his live DJ sets blossomed into expansive, genre-bending musical journeys. Now, as a recent addition to the label firebrand “The Disco Express” and fresh off the success of his latest EP titled “Nightlife in NYC,” the show continues to evolve, featuring improv bass and vocoder elements that anchor the dynamic and energetic DJ sets.
Darren DeVivo – Host of Noises From The Valley
For more than 40 years (OR nearly 42 years, if you want to be dramatic!), Darren DeVivo has been a trusted and familiar voice on New York radio, best known for his
long tenure at WFUV (90.7 FM), where he became one of the most respected music curators in the region. His encyclopedic knowledge of rock, jazz, blues, folk, and
singer-songwriters—and his deep love for connecting artists to listeners—have earned him a devoted following.
He spent his entire adult life discovering, learning and developing an appreciation for a variety of music – whether it’s specific artists, songs, albums or entire genres. He did this at WFUV in New York City over the course of nearly 42 years. Along the way, he shared that music with so many radio friends that listened to WFUV. Now, it’s a new adventure at a new home. It’s his singular vision, built from everything he has become over parts of the past five decades. Now, he gets to share it all on Friday nights on WKZE. “I can’t wait! Let’s boogie!!”
Denise has been a member of the Hudson Valley’s musical community since the early 90s. She’s a touring musician, producer, emcee and a longtime singer/songwriter. Growing up on Long Island, she started a radio station at her high school, and always wanted to get back to it. A musician since she was young, she sings and plays guitar, drums, and percussion. Her band, The Deadbeats, has been a staple of the East Coast Grateful Dead music scene for over 30 years. She sings and plays drums with the national touring act, Brown Eyed Women, an all-female tribute to the Grateful Dead. Locally, she also plays drums and sings in the Misty Mountain Ramblers and plays guitar shows with The Deadbeats Duo. Denise is very excited to begin her radio journey with WKZE. Tune in Mondays at 7pm and check out all things Covered in Dead. Email Denise at denise@wkze.com.
Chris Macchia is one of the most in-demand musicians in the Hudson Valley. Experienced in many styles of music including jazz, rock, funk, progressive, and various groove/dance genres, he studied jazz performance at SUNY New Paltz. Chris has performed at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Cairo International Jazz Festival, and the Greater Ozarks Blues Festival. Although radio was an early interest he decided to pursue making music as his main focus. Becoming a WKZE DJ brings him full circle to an earlier path.
Dr. Andy Gladding – Station Owner and Chief Engineer
Dr. Andy Gladding has been passionate about radio and audio since the age of 7, when he built his first recording studio from leftover electronics. Now, with over 25 years of experience in television, radio, and digital media, he has worked with top media companies like Emmis Communications (WQHT-Hot 97, WBLS), Westwood One, and MTV Networks. He currently serves as Chief Engineer for Salem Media’s New York cluster and serves as the executive producer and advisor for the internationally acclaimed “1World Community Radio Network.”
A dedicated educator, Dr. Gladding mentors future audio professionals at Hofstra University’s WRHU and Nassau Community College’s WHPC. In 2024, he earned his Doctorate of Education, focusing on next-generation FM broadcasting engagement. He is also Vice Chairman of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) Chapter 15 and founder of its student-led sub-chapter.
Now, as the owner of WKZE, he’s excited to bring his expertise to the station, work with the station’s amazing and dedicated team of passionate broadcasters, and lead it to new heights. When he’s not immersed in media technology, he enjoys spending time with his wife and WKZE co-owner, Katie, piloting his boat The Little Mo, listening to West Coast AOR, and performing with his band, Cold Flavor Repair.
Email Andy at andy@wkze.com.
Katie Berghorn – Station Owner
Katie Berghorn attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie which began her love affair with the Hudson Valley. She began her career in marketing and media at Universal McCann where she was introduced to the local radio buying and sales. She has experience working at top digital publishers like CBS, Vox Media, and Studio71. Katie is passionate about digital marketing and helping small businesses expand their brand. In her free time, Katie enjoys singing and performing with her choir MasterVoices, drawing, vintage shopping, and playing with her cats Salem and Sirius Black. Email Katie at katie@wkze.com.
Barb Stanley – Owner Emeritus
Barb Stanley has been in radio since 1988. Within a short period of time she met Will Stanley, a competitor at another station. In not time they fell in love; both with each other and with radio! The station Barb & Will ran before 98.1 KZE was WRSI (The River) in Northampton Massachusetts, from 1997 until 2004. WRSI had a format almost identical to WKZE, and they made it their goal to prove that this eclectic and wildly diverse musical format could be a financial and esthetic success. Since April of 2005, Barb and Will owned and ran WKZE, and in April of 2006 moved the studios to Red Hook, NY. Barb took on full-ownership of the station in 2021. Barb has 4 grown children and 3 granddaughters. Her favorite thing to do, aside from spending time with her family, is working with horses.
Will Stanley – Owner Emeritus
