Bonnie Berman
She's been heard in many pledge drives, dating back to May of 1989, when she began as a volunteer reader at the WLRN Radio Reading Service. While managing the "Clayspace" Art Gallery at the South Florida Arts Center, she came to WLRN to read for the RRS, when a dear friend became blind in his illness, and began using the service. At that time, Bonnie was a frequent newspaper reader on the main channel and each week reading her treasured New Yorker magazine for the benefit of the print-handicapped audience, among which was her friend.
It didn't take long for her to be noticed. Soon she was voicing underwriting credits, station promotional announcements and other work. She narrated an hour-long radio documentary about the homeless in South Florida. She pitched in tirelessly during the on-air fundraising drives.
Next, she became a frequent voice on sister-station, WLRN-TV while continuing her radio work, and filled in as a local host on both Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Not an easy task. During this period, she also conducted many interviews for Topical Currents with artists, musicians and others in, or related to, South Florida's burgeoning arts community.
Soon, Bonnie's talents were recognized by a broader community. While continuing at WLRN, she began working as an on-air personality at WTMI, South Florida's classical music station. Her program, "Music of the Night" heard weeknights from 7 to midnight, consisted of classical music with more popular fare, blended with listener dedications and requests. It was entertaining late night radio, which was discontinued after the sale of WTMI to Cox Broadcasting.
Not long after, Bonnie was made the permanent local host for WLRN's Morning Edition, while continuing her voice-over work for both radio and television. She held this position until her love for classical music beckoned once more.
In an effort to provide classical music to the aching South Florida community, WKAT attempted to pick up where WTMI had so abruptly left off. Bonnie was sought out by WKAT where she was program director and host of the morning drive "Classical Morning" Show. Sadly for classical music lovers, WKAT - on the AM frequency did not survive.
Bonnie returned to WLRN in the position of midday host, from 10 AM - 2 PM weekdays, technical director for Topical Currents, and once again the "voice" of WLRN radio. She is "thrilled to be back home" and adds a special note of appreciation to Joseph Cooper, who first recognized her talents nearly two decades ago, paving the way for a beloved career in broadcasting.
