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Nimet Habachy: Keeper of the night shift

Nimet Habachy has been keeping New York’s insomniacs company for almost three decades. Born in Cairo, raised in New York City, and bred on a diet of classical music and American musical movies, Nimet has always sought out sonic experiences that bring her joy. At the young age of twelve, she made a deal with her mother: As long as Nimet completed her homework on time, she could travel to the Metropolitan Opera and attempt to snag a standing room ticket for that evening’s performance. 

Fast forward to the future. After completing a seven-year tenure at the New York City Opera as the company manager’s assistant and French-and-Italian language coach, Nimet joined the chorus of an amateur production of Carmen that toured geriatric centers from 14th Street to the Heights. It was through this production that Nimet first came to WQXR. She had heard from one of the singersthat the station was looking for new announcers — particularly women, minorities, and people who spoke an array of languages. Nimet fit the bill and, when the station went all-night in 1980, she was tapped to be the overnight host. 

Nimet embraced her new routine, throwing dinner parties for friends and then, like Cinderella, gliding off on her bicycle just before midnight to get to the studio. Over the years working the “graveyard shift,” Nimet has acquired countless devoted listeners, some more surprising than others: One night, a knock at the studio door introduced two police officers charged with relaying a complaint from their station’s Sergeant — apparently Nimet wasn’t playing enough Wagner. Well, rest assured, dear night owls, Nimet promised thereafter that she would always balance her Debussy with at least a pinch of Sergeant Craft’s tumultuous favorite.

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