Eric Gratton
Eric Gratton was born in Worcester and raised in Brookfield. A lover of classical music since 3rd grade, Eric has had an active role in classical music since high school, singing in all the choirs and performing in the local musicals at Tantasqua. After attending his first year of college at Salem State University, Eric moved to Manhattan. While maintaining a regular 9-5 job at a major Wall Street firm, Eric sang in amateur and professional ensembles such as The Collegiate Chorale (now MasterVoices), Oratorio Society of New York, and Polyhymnia.
Eric has performed as a chorus member with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, American Symphony Orchestra, Philip Glass Ensemble, and the Israel Philharmonic. He has performed at Lincoln Center in Avery Fisher Hall (now David Geffen), David Koch Theater, Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Alice Tully Hall, and Radio City Music Hall. Eric has performed in the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center, Bard Summerscape, the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and the Salzburg Festival in Austria. A consumer of classical music and opera since his early 20s, Eric is a member of the Young Associates at the Metropolitan Opera and the Young New Yorkers at the New York Philharmonic, two programs aimed at young patrons (under 45) who support these respective institutions.
Since returning to Massachusetts in 2019, Eric has been an active Boston Symphony Orchestra patron as well as local Music Worcester performances. When not at the WICN studio, Eric works in events for a French pharmaceutical company, allowing him to travel and hear the world’s best orchestras worldwide. Since 2022, Eric has matriculated into Harvard’s School of Continuing Education, finishing his degree in business management and psychology during the evenings and weekends. When not working, or studying, Eric enjoys hiking, concerts, new restaurants, and traveling as much as he can. Eric is grateful to be a part of the WICN family and to bring classical music back to 90.5!
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Nikki Erskine is the co-host of “Culture Beat” on WICN, sharing tips and insights on the arts and cultural scene throughout Greater Worcester, including ways in which you can participate and support various artists, organizations, and institutions.
Joshua Croke (Pronouns: They/Them)/Present Futurist. Community Innovator. Unquestionably Queer.
Josh is a project designer, community building consultant, and creative producer. Their passion lies in eliminating stigma, sharing stories, and designing experiences that enhance people’s lives and connects them to their communities in ways that bring joy, belonging, and success.
Josh is the founder of Action! by Design, a project design studio that works with organizations to create impactful projects by working with the communities they serve to lead design and innovation efforts.
Josh is also the president and co-founder of nonprofit Love Your Labels that works to eliminate bias, stigma, and shame in society and builds programs for queer and trans youth focused on resiliency building, pride in identity, and economic mobility pathways. They also host and produce Public Hearing Podcast featuring stories of human experience at the intersection of design and technology.
Their client projects have received awards and recognition including Best of Innovation at CES, Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Award, and Oprah’s Favorite Things.
Accolades include BEQ Pride Magazine’s LGBT Leaders Under 40 (2020), Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 (2019), Boston Spirit Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Young Trailblazers (2017), Key to the City of Worcester (2016), and Pulse Magazine’s 15 People to Watch (2015)
Josh sits on the board of the Worcester Education Collaborative and Living in Freedom Together (LIFT) and is a corporator for the EcoTarium Museum of Science & Nature and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
Josh is excited to join WICN as a host and adapt Experience This Podcast for Worcester's only NPR affiliate radio station!
Follow Josh on Twitter at @JoshuaCroke and the show on Instagram at @XPThisPod
Learn more at JoshuaCroke.com.