KSO receives $50K from Kelly Clarkson Show, Dolly Parton
December 2, 2022; 12:32 p.m.

KNOXVILLE -- The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra received surprise donations on The Kelly Clarkson Show on December 1st, totaling $50,000. Netspend, a financial services company, gave $25,000 that was then matched by Dolly Parton, who was a guest on the episode. The contributions were inspired by the KSO’s music education program for East Tennessee students lead by Erin Gonzalez, the symphony’s Education and Community Partnerships Coordinator, who appeared on the show.

KSO CEO Rachel Ford said “We are honored by the generous donations made by Dolly Parton and The Kelly Clarkson Show in partnership with Netspend Corporation. Their support of the KSO helps us maintain and improve our education and community programs, which reach more than 45,000 students and community members across East Tennessee. Erin is an integral part of our organization, and we are overjoyed that her talent and passion for music education were celebrated in a way that will allow us to reach even more students.”