Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Born into the 21st century, Gen Z takes a new approach to everything by default. But how does this contrast against the long-established canon of music history?
Meet 5 students whose devotion to their craft defies generational trends in WXXI’s latest series, In the Key of Z: Classical.
Hot takes! Instrument redesigns! Composer March Madness!
WXXI Classical Host, Steve Johnson pulls back the curtain and gets behind the scenes to discover what feeds the fire for these young musicians.
For more information about the series, head to wxxi.org/projects/in-the-key-of-z-classical
Funding for this series was graciously provided by
The Jane K. and Robert C. Stevens Fund for New Programming
and Underberg & Kessler LLP
WXXI Public Broadcasting:
Host – Steve Johnson
Executive Producer – Katie Epner
Camera – Katie Epner, Jason Milton, Austin Radford
Editor – Katie Epner
Motion Graphics – Jeff Coles Smith
Audio Engineer – Andrew Croucher
Vice President of Television – Todd McCammon
WXXI Classical Program Director – Ruth Phinney
Communications Manager – Kristin Tutino
Web Developer – Cindy George
Creative Director – Jon Haliniak
Vice President of Radio – Jeanne Fisher
Vice President of Development – Kathy Reed
Director of Leadership Giving – Leah Noonan
Director of Corporate Sponsorship – Alison Zero Jones
Account Manager – Michelle Picardo
Promotions Producer – Kevin Indovino
Executive Vice President & General Manager – Susan Rogers
WXXI President & CEO – Chris Hastings
Born into the 21st century, Gen Z takes a new approach to everything by default. But how does this contrast against the long-established canon of music history?
Meet 5 students whose devotion to their craft defies generational trends in WXXI’s latest series, In the Key of Z: Classical.
Hot takes! Instrument redesigns! Composer March Madness!
WXXI Classical Host, Steve Johnson pulls back the curtain and gets behind the scenes to discover what feeds the fire for these young musicians.
For more information about the series, head to wxxi.org/projects/in-the-key-of-z-classical
Funding for this series was graciously provided by
The Jane K. and Robert C. Stevens Fund for New Programming
and Underberg & Kessler LLP
WXXI Public Broadcasting:
Host – Steve Johnson
Executive Producer – Katie Epner
Camera – Katie Epner, Jason Milton, Austin Radford
Editor – Katie Epner
Motion Graphics – Jeff Coles Smith
Audio Engineer – Andrew Croucher
Vice President of Television – Todd McCammon
WXXI Classical Program Director – Ruth Phinney
Communications Manager – Kristin Tutino
Web Developer – Cindy George
Creative Director – Jon Haliniak
Vice President of Radio – Jeanne Fisher
Vice President of Development – Kathy Reed
Director of Leadership Giving – Leah Noonan
Director of Corporate Sponsorship – Alison Zero Jones
Account Manager – Michelle Picardo
Promotions Producer – Kevin Indovino
Executive Vice President & General Manager – Susan Rogers
WXXI President & CEO – Chris Hastings










