Meet Claudine DiLorenzo, New York native, Local Producer for the Howard Stern Show and Music Director at 105.7 The X. Her web profile is a bit colorful, but for the most part, it’s true. She admits that she loves the nightlife, despite the fact that she works the morning shift. Her “unique ability to attract an eclectic mix of people” is simply her outgoing personality. And forget the “tough New York persona.” Claudine is a very sweet person beneath her toe rings and garb of black. The naked part, well, that’s none of my business.

But one might question, “New York native? What’s she doing in podunk central PA?” Well, as she puts it, “You need to hone your skills in a small market before you can go big again.” Claudine started her career at WDRE in New York as an intern while studying TV/radio broadcasting at Hofstra. After her internship, she became a receptionist at DRE to start her professional career because, she notes, success in radio is made by working your way up. From there, she was promoted to sales assistant before moving on to New York’s Z100 in 1993.

After a two year stint as promotions coordinator at Z100, Claudine left the Big Apple for Pennsylvania to join what was then known as The Edge. She was wooed away by former Z100 promotion manager, John Moschitta, who joined 105.7 a few months earlier as programming director. Claudine started with the station as assistant music director and mid-day on-air personality. When Howard Stern came to town, she was promoted to music director and named local producer for the Howard Stern Show. “Moving to mornings freed me to do my work during the day,” she says. At some point, Claudine would like to get into programming, but stresses that she’s not looking to make any moves now.

Claudine loves her work. When she was younger, her parents (like many others) had dreams of their daughter the accountant, or some other lofty paper-pushing desk job, but she had other ideas. She always wanted to be in entertainment and loved the audio aspect. Hence, her studies at Hofstra. Although, many professional people focus solely on one thing, Claudine says, “radio is more rounded—you wear many hats.” In light of this, her work has opened her up to many memories and great opportunities. "I have so many stupid memories," she jokes. But what Claudine enjoys most is the gratification she gets from seeing something grow and lending her knowledge to make it happen. Here she’s specifically referring to the band, Fuel, and her professional role in the band’s success. There are, however, the little things she fears. “I have this recurring dream that there’s dead air and I can’t reach a button to stop it. I keep reaching, but there’s just dead air.”

You’re not alone, Claudine.

So how does this city-slicker feel about life in rural suburbia? Well, despite her urban roots, Claudine concedes central Pennsylvania isn’t the worst place to be. “The move was certainly a culture shock,” she laughs. Sure, growing up on Long Island, working in New York then moving to Harrisburg could send the strongest of souls into rehab. Maybe she won’t spend the rest of her life in the midstate, but she confesses “I could raise a family here.” At some point down the road, Claudine would like to take her experience as music director to a large market, perhaps back to New York. Ultimately, (read: WAY down the road) she wants to be signing bands in the A&R department of some record label in New York.

Well, you can take the girl out of Pennsylvania, but you can’t take Pennsylvania out of the girl. Since Claudine joined the station, she’s gained a loyal following. “I wasn’t in a position to have fans in New York, but I get a very warm response here.” In addition to the flowers and letters, she gets e-mail by the boat load every week and many of her listeners stop to visit when she’s out on appearances. Although the following is very flattering, there is at least one groupie that makes her a little nervous. “I won’t go to an appearance alone,” she says. She did it once and notes she won’t do it again. Stalking isn’t a major concern in Harrisburg, but Claudine would rather be safe than sorry. “Usually a tech will go with me to an appearance, but if no one from the station is going, I’ll ask one of my friends to go.” Maybe its just part of her “unique ability to attract an eclectic mix of people”...

After meeting Claudine in person, her description on The X’s web page is merely a farce. She is a very kind, intelligent, outgoing person. A tough New Yorker? No. She’s a young professional who loves her job and sets her sights high. She has plans for her future, but where they’ll happen and when is a mystery.