Why Kris Tjornehoj of St. Croix Sounds joined the Wisconsin Arts Board

St. Croix Sounds founder Kris Tjornehoj joined the Wisconsin Arts Board, created to help cultivate and support the arts for the state. Gov. Tony Evers announced Tjornehoj as the newest appointee on the board in July. Evers appointed all 15 members of the board, composed of people in the arts community from across the state. Members serve three-year terms, working together to approve funding recommendations involving the arts, according to the board's website. Tjornehoj applied due to a recommendation from a current board member, and through the work and experience — years of teaching music, including at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls — she later demonstrated in her application. 'I felt honored that I could bring something to this group of intelligent people from across the state who really make a difference,' she said. 'Having the opportunity to learn … what's going on throughout the rest of the state, because that [is] what motivates you to be better in your own backyard.' After 31 years at UWRF, Tjornehoj conducted a retirement concert in December 2024. From there, St. Croix Sounds was born. In a column for the Star-Observer, Tjornehoj wrote that she introduced the music collective as a way to bring 'extraordinary, transformative musical experiences to audiences while fostering collaboration and artistic growth.' Since then, St. Croix Sounds has hosted a range of concerts in its namesake valley — on both sides of the St. Croix River — as well as internationally. 'I think her bio really speaks to her deep roots and her deep love for the arts of Wisconsin,' said Heather Rutledge, executive director of ArtReach St. Croix. ArtReach St. Croix serves as the fiscal sponsor for St. Croix Sounds, which doubles as the umbrella under which Tjornehoj assembles concerts: collaborations with musicians, ensemble trips and other music-related events. Tjornehoj has served on multiple boards for the region and state. She has also taught and conducted at universities overseas. 'I hope that my background in western Wisconsin and in Minnesota … will bring to the Wisconsin Arts Board a knowledge of people, places, community building and respect,' she said. 'And dissemination of the arts.' Tjornehoj conducted for the Wisconsin School Music Association. From 2020 to 2024, she served as the lifelong learning chair for Wisconsin Music Educators Association, working with individuals across the state to stay engaged in music at any age. Laurie Fellenz, executive director of both the WSMA and WMEA, said Tjornehoj has done exactly that while working with Fellenz between those two associations. 'Kris was a joy to work with [when] she served during the pandemic,' Fellenz said. 'She was invaluable during that time, with considering how to engage people across the different areas of their music careers and post-career.' Being an advocate for music is what Tjornehoj hopes to accomplish throughout her time on the board, both for the state and for herself. 'My educational and musical and arts interest brings to the board a little bit to enrich our whole state,' she said. 'Whether it's a perspective, whether it's what I'm going to gain in knowledge from other people, hopefully I'll be able to contribute to that array of information and make our state better.' Tjornehoj, who grew up in New Richmond, became one of two members representing western Wisconsin. John Potter, of Hudson, is the other. Tjornehoj believes it is important that all areas of the state are represented. 'In Wisconsin, we are a little bit isolated from top to bottom. I've known for years that we have to make our case,' she said. 'We have to recruit, we have to be visible, we have to share and we have to shout what some of our own accomplishments are, and yet we have a wonderful area to serve.' As Tjornehoj goes about that work, those in the local community have noticed. 'She is a huge arts advocate, she is a connector, she is an ambassador for the arts, both performing and visual arts, that happen in the valley,' Rutledge said. 'Kris is really a gem and a huge part of the arts community in general.' Before she officially joined the arts board, Tjornehoj said she read through all of the grants from last year — 'I was able to help distribute the money to various organizations.' Serving and connecting the state's arts is something Tjornehoj is excited to continue to do, this time around as a board member. 'Every single grant that I read made me more excited about what goes on … for arts, culture, wonderful things that are the backbone of so many communities that I've watched my entire life.' The first meeting Tjornehoj attends as a board member takes place in Eau Claire, Wis. She said it will help the other members see what's happening in western Wisconsin. 'So my first one and I'm up to bat,' she said. 'They will see the Phipps Center for the Arts and will be educated on all the things we've been doing over here.' All board meetings are open to the public, and meeting dates can be found at artsboard.wisconsin.gov/Pages/Calendar.aspx. As for the music scene in the St. Croix Valley, St. Croix Sounds offers concerts, collaborations, holiday events and other music-related activities, which can be found on the group's Facebook page. Whether it's the Phipps or a local music-in-the-park offering, Tjornehoj advocates that people go out and support the arts. 'I think that we live in a time when there's way too many people who choose to stay home instead of go out and go to concerts,' she said. 'I think we have to actually, as individuals of all ages, make sure that you are contributing and receiving because the arts do so much for the soul, for creating a community. I think the arts bring people together in a beautiful way.'