Our Staff
Khris Dodge
Executive Director
Khris Dodge is a versatile musician, educator, and Tucson arts advocate for more than 30 years. He was recently appointed Executive Director of the Tucson Jazz Festival and continues to serve as director of Jovert, Tucson High Magnet School’s steel band. In addition, he also runs Khris Dodge Entertainment (KDE), a full-scale concert production company.
Educated at the University of Arizona, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Percussion Performance, Khris used the skills learned under Gary Cook – as well as jazz piano instruction from Jeff Haskell – to craft a versatile music career. Khris has played everything from orchestral percussion with Tucson Symphony and Arizona Opera (the latter of which he played with for 20 years) to keyboard for Broadway National Tours (Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys). Additionally, he has played featured performances at the Sedona Film Festival, Musical Instrument Museum, Austin Cabaret Theatre, and New York’s Metropolitan Room, to name a few. Khris also arranged and conducted Hot Stuff: A Symphonic Tribute to Donna Summer, which debuted in 2019.
In his spare time, Khris works with the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona, and the Rotary Club of Tucson.
Chita Stevenson
Administrative Assistant
Christy “Chita” Stevenson is the Administrative Assistant. Her experience includes Management, Marketing and Music – not necessarily in that order. Chita organizes the chaos that can come with working with creative types, as she is one herself.
The 25 year Tucsonan landed here to start her music biz career in radio music promotions after attending West Virginia University’s School of Journalism. Her experience as the Underwriting Director, Jazz Music Director and Station Music Director at WWVU became the foundation for her 20 year involvement with Southern Arizona’s music community. She also worked with the performance rights organization, BMI, as a writer liaison, organizing artist showcases.
She continued the support of Tucson’s local artists in media, initially at 104.1 The Point, as afternoon air talent, then as on air talent at KFMA doing weekends. Soon after moving to AZ Lotus Corp radio, Chita became afternoon drive host and music director at 96.1 KLPX, where she formed Live & Local – one of the first multi media entities created to promote local artists on radio, television and online – as well as at live performances in the community.
During her 10 year career in radio, which included being Program Director at KLPX, she worked with hundreds of musicians, event organizers, and local community members and non profits. She went on to open her own business, Hoopla Management, a Marketing and Event Management then returned to radio as a Promotions Director and Account Exec at 94.9 MIXfm.
Chita played flute, sax, and oboe in high school and guitar as an adult. She is most notably touted as the master of the slide whistle a skilled she learned while attending Bunker Hill Elementary School in WV. She is also funny. Very funny. Just ask her.
Jill Bishop
Director of Philanthropy
Jill Bishop is a senior fundraising professional with over 25 years of successful philanthropic leadership experience as well as 20 years of professional experience in the corporate sector.
Jill brings leadership experience managing development teams for a variety of nonprofit organizations, including social services, public media, and community foundations, as well major theater companies: Arizona Theater Co, San Diego Repertory Theater, and McCallum Theater.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors for KXCI-FM and recently served on the Board of Planned Giving Roundtable Southern Arizona, She was selected to be a mentor/coach for Social Venture Partners Tucson Fast Pitch 2021 and also the Selection Committee for Fast Pitch 2023.She has served as mentor/coach to many early career development professionals.
Jill is from Dayton, Ohio and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Wright State University and her Master of Public Administration at the University of Dayton. She moved to Tucson in 2010 has found her home in the Sonoran Desert. A life-long jazz lover, Tucson Jazz Festival is a perfect fit for her talents and passions. In her spare time, she hikes, cycles and attends live music and theater events with friends.
Shari Corbett
Brand Manager
For the past 23 years, Shari Corbett has been fortunate to work multiple areas of Entertainment Industry, collaborating with artists and venues of all scales. From small intimate settings to world tours, her expertise extends to designing compelling marketing campaigns, designing pre-production materials, and capturing mesmerizing show moments that create lasting memories for fans worldwide.
Shari seamlessly combines her talents as a graphic artist, photographer, and marketing knowledge to create captivating visual experiences that leave a lasting impact. With an eye for aesthetics and a deep understanding of branding strategies, she brings concepts to life through her artistic prowess and strategic approach.
Devoting herself as the Brand Manager for the Tucson Jazz Festival fills Shari’s heart with profound joy and fulfillment as she serves her beloved hometown.