About

Dance, dance, dance! Award-winning c89.5 has been Seattle’s Home for Dance for over 55 years, connecting listeners to the energy, culture, and evolution of dance music while serving as a vital platform for emerging and established artists.

c89.5 is a nonprofit, student-powered public radio station based at Nathan Hale High School and operated in partnership with Seattle Public Schools. Our mission is to embrace and elevate our community through music, while providing hands-on, career-connected learning in media, broadcasting, and podcasting. Students work alongside professional staff to produce and program the station, gaining real-world experience in on-air hosting, production, and content creation.

Serving more than 150,000 weekly listeners across the Puget Sound region – and a broader global audience online – c89.5 is a recognized leader in dance music, tracked by Nielsen, MediaBase, and the Billboard Dance chart. Our reach and relevance are powered by community support: 87% of our funding comes from listener donations, sponsorship support, and local business underwriting.

c89.5 reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, with students in visible, creative leadership roles that shape our programming and outreach. We leverage our daily public engagement and broad regional reach to amplify the resources of countless nonprofits, public programs and small businesses – strengthening community connection while preparing the next generation of media professionals. 

Learn more about our student programs at c895.org/educational-program

History

In June 1970, an application was filed with the FCC to establish an FM signal on 89.5 MHz. After construction and test broadcasts were complete, a 10 watt license was granted on 01 Feb 1971. Through the 1970’s and 80’s, the station increased its broadcast area. In the 1990’s KNHC renovated its studio and production facilities, began a student training program, launched its first website, and in 1997 began operating a digital music stream from its studios.

In 2003, The Village Voice recognized KNHC as “Best of New York” high school radio stations thanks to its internet streaming, and the next year became the first non-commercial station in the United States to join the Billboard Magazine Dance Radio Airplay panel. In 2009, KNHC moved into its new studio at Nathan Hale High School.

In 2015, KNHC qualified for an annual Community Service Grant from the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, underscoring the value of our services to the community. Our required Audited Financial Statement and Local Content and Services Report are here.

Since then, the station has continued to improve its radio and online services—and to play the best dance music on the planet!