About Us
History
Dixie State College Celebrity Concert Series (CCS) was formally organized in 1958 with Dr. Ron Garner as manager. Seven professional and non-professional concerts were presented that year. Prior to 1958, irregular presenting periods were extended to the community as is evidenced in a recently discovered season pass dated 1922. That season five concerts were offered at a cost of two-dollars for the year.
Robert Dalton managed and nurtured the series from 1965 to 1995. The manager from 1995 to 2014 was Gail Bunker, who continued to build the legacy and prestige of the concert series. Gail also introduced a variety of special programs throughout the years including the Special Artist Series - a recital concert program consisting of five to six events. Mary Stephenson directed the series from 2014 until 2015. Ginger Nelson is now the Director of Arts Programming, working alongside Karin Edwards, Arts Programming Coordinator for both the CCS and the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater. The concert series, now under the umberella of Dixie State University Cultural Arts, continues to enhance our local community through our commitment to bringing world-class performing arts to Southern Utah.
A CCS Board of Directors is selected each year to serve one-three seasons. Each year the board strives to select a varied season with the finest concerts financially possible.
Each CCS season is diverse and exhilarating. Some events presented through the years include: St. Petersburg Ballet with Galina Mezentseva, Western Opera Theater, The Brothers Four, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Ballet Hispanico, Americus Brass Band, Montana Repertory Theater, Mendelssohn String Quartet with Charles Neidich, The Nylons, William Joseph, Utah Symphony, Turtle Island and Montreux.

Board of Directors
The CCS Board of Directors is a vital arm of the Celebrity Concert Series. Board members volunteer their time to ensure the series remains a pilar of artistic expression. Board members each have a vested interest in the community at large and a love for bringing quality performances to this area.
Past Board Presidents:
Ron Garner 1958-59
Ted Peterson 1960-61
Sterling Gerber 1962-63
Ron Garner 1963-65
Robert Dalton 1965-69
Roene DiFiore 1969-71
Barbara Watson 1971-72
Jonette Reber 1972-73
Ruth Latimer 1973-74
Launa Whitehead 1974-75
Kris Gornichec/Fred Wenzel 1975-76
Janice Whitehead 1976-77
Richard Hazen 1977-78
Liz Hains 1978-79
Robert Shepherd 1979-80
Florence Oates 1980-81
Cheer Owens 1981-82
Marilyn Larson 1982-83
Robert Shepherd 1983-84
Linda Lowe 1984-85
Sharon Stebbins 1985-86
Raymond Lowe 1986-87
Bette Arial 1987-88
Audrey Shumway 1988-89
G. Braunberger 1989-90
Joe Peterson 1990-91
Ted Shumway 1991-92
Rick Arial 1992-93
Pat Lynsky 1993-94
Kathy Bywater 1994-95
Ron Garner 1995-96
Kathy Smith 1996-97
Daryl Young 1997-98
Clark McMullin 1998-99
Carole Williams 1999-00
Carol Lakin 2000-01
Bob Lakin 2001-02
Doug Alder 2002-03
Allison McArthur 2003-04
Gary Terry 2004-05
Jon Mizukawa 2005-06
William Ostler 2006-08
Don Harper 2008-10
Clark Benson 2010-11
Toni Caplin 2012-15
Jill Sevy 2015-16
Mary k. Temple 2016-17
William Bluhm 2017-18