A well-established musician currently residing in Arizona who plays every genre from country to classical, Khris Dodge brings 25+ years’ experience and a commitment to quality to his eponymous production company.

 

After earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Arizona, where he studied with luminaries such as Gary Cook and Jeff Haskell, Khris embarked on a multi-faceted performance career that has included jobs as Principal Percussionist with Arizona Opera; Section Musician (percussion & keyboard) with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra; Music Director for Invisible Theatre and Hidden Valley Inn; director of Jovert, the Tucson High Magnet School steel drum band; and featured performer at many venues around Southern Arizona. Among the dozens of musicals for which he has served as Music Director, Forever Plaid, Footloose, Guys & Dolls, Big, Peter Pan, and Always: Patsy Cline remain the most memorable. In addition, Khris is regularly called upon to play in the orchestra of touring Broadway musicals. Recent favorites include Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, The Little Mermaid, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical to name just a few.

 

Khris’ tenure at the U of A also included a fair amount of time in composition classes. Through those studies, coupled with his mentorship with Haskell, Khris honed his theoretical knowledge and arranging skills. He has used those skills to arrange fresh versions of existing pieces as well as to create hundreds of original compositions for artists ranging from solo performers to symphony orchestras.

While with Arizona Opera, Khris also assumed the job of Orchestra Manager – a position he held for 15 of his 20 years with the company. His duties included running rehearsals, hiring musicians as needed, coordinating between stage and performer needs, creating orchestra budgets and administering payroll, and serving as a liaison between management and union representatives.

 

Khris drew upon his performance, arranging, and administrative skills when forming Khris Dodge Entertainment (KDE) in 2015. He had created arrangements and built shows for other entities, and decided that it was time to take the plunge into business ownership. His first show, To Ella, with Love, set the standard for the creative excellence that is synonymous with a KDE production. Soon thereafter, he and Stuart Moulton (Austin Cabaret Theater and Circus Warehouse, NYC) collaborated on Big Top Broadway: High-Flying Entertainment and Song. The stunning combination of Broadway-caliber talent and circus performers from one of the world’s most prestigious training facilities, Circus Warehouse, showed audiences that KDE brought something unique to the stage.

 

In a little over a year, Khris has created and staged everything from intimate cabaret performances to higher-concept, fully-orchestrated theatrical productions. Back to Hollywood: A Salute to the Silver Screen, created with Canadian filmmaker/entertainer Nicholas Arnold, weaves a story throughout the evening and includes live film scoring, light comedic moments, and synchronized live/film elements. In the Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular pays homage to the classic Christmas specials of Andy Williams and Bing Crosby. Gunhild Carling in Concert showcases the sensational and versatile Swedish singer/dancer/multi-instrumentalist.

 

June 2017 marked the debut of Hot Stuff: A Symphonic Tribute to Donna Summer. The renowned Tucson Pops Orchestra premiered the show to an enthusiastic audience of 5,000+. The 2018 roster included shows that pay tribute to the legendary Nat King Cole and the Hall-of-Fame band, Chicago as well as the premiere of The Tapestry Album Live in Concert: The Music of Carole King. 2019 looks to be an exciting year as well, as KDE will debut Trio: The Music of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris and Aretha starring Crystal Stark, among others.

 

As Khris Dodge Entertainment continues to grow, doing “good things with good people” remains its central mission.

Boy, have times changed both with regard to the world today and to the way we can communicate with one another.  Rotary Club of Tucson stepped it up even more by producing a YouTube video to replace our in-person meeting.  Thank you for the creativity and generosity of RICK ROSE (Film Creations Ltd.) and our PRESIDENT BOB who led the way trying to keep us all engaged and together when we can’t be together!  I hope many of you “tuned in” to appreciate what our leadership is doing to keep us engaged and followed President BOB’S request to call fellow members.

 

A moving and adorable video pledge was performed by an almost 3 year old in a video she made for her dad who was serving in Afghanistan.  We also enjoyed the golden voice of Johnny Cash (That Ragged Old Flag) and a very moving video about a gymnast overcoming diversity who has far surpassed many others with her tumbling techniques being born without legs!  What better to inspire us that we CAN get through this period of unrest and uncertainty.  She overcame her challenges because she “never said can’t”!!

 

Past President SCOTT VAUGHAN introduced our visiting guests and Rotarians who were watching, including Presidents from other Rotary clubs (no doubt wanting to be as creative as we!).

 

AMANDA POWERS, President of FC Tucson, gave us a very enlightening overview of her aspirations about professional soccer in Tucson.  She brings a lot of experience and enthusiasm for making Tucson a center for professional soccer, using the Kino Sports Complex and is ready to get things rolling!  Her speaker appreciation book was “Bears Can’t Play Soccer”.

 

Happy birthday to absent GARY FRANKS, BOB MORKEN AND RICHARD WHITE, and to video birthday presenters DOT KRET (with a rap of course and announcing that Pak Mail is open sending important packages), ELLIE PATTERSON, and JON WANG.

 

Under the circumstances, we had no work for DARRELL STEWART as Sergeant at Arms, nor did we have a raffle, but our own District 5500 ELLIE PATTERSON gave us an update on how some in our district are coping with the use of Zoom for video meetings and Assistant District Governors keeping in touch with club presidents.  She encouraged us all to keep up our “Acts of Kindness” reaching out to help others who might need help right now and recognizing those you appreciate.

 

DAVID LOVITT shared with us his recent Act of Kindness.  He insisted on purchasing the roses the lady behind him in line at Safeway was buying, only to find out that the roses were to thank a teacher.  For sure that woman will pay it forward after seeing his example of kindness.

 

BILL GATES addressed Rotarians in a video thanking Rotary for inspiring his foundation to join us in the fight to eradicate Polio around the world, announcing they have extended the 2 for 1 match for all donations made for the fight against Polio.

 

President BOB announced that we will suspend our March Madness membership drive for now, and Home Hospitality which was scheduled for April is up in the air at the moment.

 

BOB’S toast was to patience.  “Be patient, hope for the best and we will get through this”!