After six years presenting ABC Classic FM Breakfast, Emma Ayres has hung up her headphones and will move on to new adventures.
In the past 18 months Emma has written a book, Cadence, played with the Bombay Chamber Orchestra and toured Europe with the Australian Youth Orchestra. Prior to that, she travelled to Kabul to work with the Afghan Youth Orchestra.
In her time at ABC Classic FM, Ayres has spoken with many of the greats of classical music including the Tokyo String Quartet on their recent farewell tour.
She has been a regular presenter at Musica Viva’s Huntington Festival, not to mention at countless live broadcasts and the odd spot of busking around Melbourne and Sydney to raise funds for those affected by floods and fires.
Our earlier report about Ayres’ resignation has resulted in many comments, indicating that her unique spin on classical music, guest weather segments, morning jokes and stories will be missed by many listeners.
“With all my heart I would like to thank the listeners to Classic Breakfast,” says Ayres.
“It is your stories that made the program what it has become. We have shared music as you were born, as you played, as you walked and drove, as you worked and as you died. I will miss you profoundly. It has been a great honour and privilege to work at the ABC and be able to share music with you; I look forward to contributing to the musical world in Australia in a new way.”
Ellen Fanning has been presenting Classic Breakfast since September and will continue until 12 December 2014.
Fanning is an award-winning public affairs broadcaster and journalist with a strong interest and passion for classic music. Fanning has previously presented the Throsby Interview as well as short stints on Classic Breakfast, Classic Drive and live broadcasts for ABC Classic FM.
She hails from a family of musicians and says she would have joined their ranks “had naked enthusiasm not been a poor substitute for actual talent.”
ABC Classic FM Manager Richard Buckham has told radioinfo:
“We are delighted that Ellen is able to stay with the network for the next few months. We wish Emma every success with her new ventures and thank her for sharing her distinctive style and musical passions with the ABC Classic FM audience.”
I seriously miss Emma's dulcet tones in the morning - I have Classic FM on my stereo all night, so woke up with Emma every day. I love her knowledge, her sense of humour and her personable way of making me feel that she is talking to me directly. I appreciate her musical knowledge both as musician and broadcaster, and her experiences that have taken her all over the globe. No one will take her place for me. I wish her the very best in whatever she does next, I know it will be with her full heart and head and I hope that one day she will come back to the ABC.
Dear Emma, For years have I had my breakfast before a tumaltous school day. You have broadcast my thoughts and my weather of the day. You have enticed my spirits to go to work and dare to play classical music to my students...thank you for your thoughts on science and your fabulous interest in the world.