Krista Kennedy
Assistant Director of Events & Stewardship
Biography
Krista Kennedy is a Knoxville native and a lifelong musician, having taken piano lessons from age 6 and playing clarinet in middle and high school bands, as well as serving as drum major at Maryville High School. Starting her collegiate educational journey as a Music Education major at UT Knoxville, she then pivoted into a Music Business focus, graduating in 2016 with a BA in Music and Music Business minor. The program introduced her to the world of event planning through a practicum where she was tasked to plan a fundraising event that incorporated live music, and she has been hooked ever since. During her time at UT, she marched in the Pride of the Southland, played in the UT Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, participated in numerous chamber ensembles, took lessons from Fay Adams and gave a junior piano recital, all while also playing piano down the road at Second United Methodist Church as staff pianist.
Krista’s professional experience includes work in catering, festival production, volunteer recruitment and management, and nonprofit event fundraising. Her events have spanned many genres, including everything from galas to golf tournaments, comedy shows to concerts, massive community festivals to small, intimate gatherings. At the heart of her passion for events is her belief in enlightened hospitality – creating an atmosphere where guests are welcomed, at ease, and can easily connect with each other and the mission of the organization.
She is delighted to be combining all of her passions by serving as Assistant Director of Events & Stewardship at the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music.
In her free time, Krista is walking her dog Archie or snuggling with her cat Annabel. She loves to cook from scratch, make pottery on the wheel, and host family and friends at her home. Her and her fiancé Ryan love to camp and travel near and far, having been everywhere from Red River Gorge in Kentucky to Machu Picchu in Peru!
Education
- BA, Music (Music Business Minor), Natalie L. Haslam College of Music – University of Tennessee (2016)
