Suzanne Nance

Chicago’s classical music station is losing its afternoon voice.

Suzanne Nance resigned Friday after two years at WFMT FM 98.7 to join All Classical Public Media KQAC in Portland, Oregon, where she will double as program director and on-air host.

It’s a rare defection from Chicago’s Window to the World Communications fine arts station, where most of the air staff measures its tenure in decades. A spokesperson for WFMT confirmed Nance’s departure without further comment. No word yet on a replacement from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Nance joined WFMT in October 2013 from Maine Public Radio where she hosted mornings. It was a return to Chicago for the Philadelphia area native, who received her master’s degree in music from DePaul University. She also served earlier as professor of voice at the Cappelli Institute of Music in Chicago and conducted seminars for young performers.

Nance did not respond to requests for comment Friday. At the time of her hiring here, she called it “a dream job,” adding: “I have always admired and respected WFMT and its mission, hosts, supporters and listeners. Chicago is home to the most extraordinary fine arts station in the world, WFMT, and I am humbled and honored to now be a part of the team.”

In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, WFMT finished 31st in afternoons with a 1.1 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 119,400. Overall the station ranked 28th with a 1.3 share and 294,000 cume.