About
KRISTIN A. TJORNEHOJ
Educator, Speaker, and Global Advocate for Service and the Arts
Kris Tjornehoj is a dedicated educator, public speaker, and leader committed to empowering individuals and organizations through motivation, work-life balance, and leadership. With a strong background in education and service, she provides insightful sessions on nonprofit grant writing, responsibility, and success, equipping audiences with the tools to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
An avid traveler and cultural ambassador, Kris has led numerous international tours that blend artistic experiences, rich cultural exploration, and culinary discovery. Her leadership in these immersive journeys fosters global connections, broadens perspectives, and deepens appreciation for the arts and humanities.
As a passionate advocate for music and education, Kris specializes in music advocacy and the art of conducting. She inspires the next generation of musicians and leaders through her work, which blends creativity, discipline, and service-oriented leadership and fosters professional and personal development.
Through her engaging and thought-provoking presentations, Kris encourages lifelong learning, global awareness, and a commitment to excellence in all areas of life.
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Ph.D. in Music, 2002
Dissertation: Increasing the Effectiveness of Conductors Through Mentoring and Modeling
M.M. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Performance: Saxophone/Woodwinds 1989
B.A. Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
Music Education: Saxophone, Piano 1980
Founder/executive Director (2025)
- St. Croix Sound Wind Orchestra
- St. Croix Sound Symphony
- St. Croix Sound Chamber Winds
- St. Croix Sound Commission Project
University Faculty And Administrative Positions
Professor Emeritus (2025 – present)
Full Professor of Music (2012-2024)
Department Chair (2014–2019)
Associate Professor of Music (2002-2012)
Assistant Professor of Music (1994-2002)
Instructor (1993-1994)
University of River Falls, Wisconsin
Adjunct Professor (2015)
- Student Teacher Supervision
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa
All courses are my original designs
Undergraduate Courses
- Sustainability in the Performing Arts (Designed 2024)
- Music Education
- World Music (online revised 2021)
- Class Piano
- Basic Conducting
- Instrumental Conducting
- History of Instrumental Music (new design with CANVAS online platform)
- Music Appreciation
- History of Jazz
- Special Topics: Research
- Special Topics: Music in Scotland
- Special Topics: Advanced Conducting
- Independent Study: World Music
- Student Teacher Supervision
- . Understanding Music (online course development 2021)
Graduate Level Courses
- Conducting
- Research Methods
- Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance
- Band Director Refresh
- Plan B Thesis Supervisor (Master’s Students)
- Symphonic Band
- St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra
- St. Croix Valley Community Band
Spring 2024
Semester Abroad Europe Coordinator
Spring 2024
Experience Scotland Lecturer
Fall 2023
International Traveling Classroom (Spain, Austria)
Spring 2017
Guest Lecturer in Pinto, Spain
Spring 2016
International Traveling Classroom (England, France)
Spring 2012
International Traveling Classroom (Scotland, England)
Spring 2011
Wisconsin in Scotland (Edinburgh and Dalkeith)
Fall 2015
Wisconsin in Scotland (Edinburgh and Dalkeith)
As a teacher in these various European locations, I bring expertise of college instruction on courses I have designed in my 25 years of experience at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. In Spain, my role was to teach a music appreciation classes at the secondary school level. The International Traveling Classroom assignments required building courses in World Music, Music Appreciation, and the History of Jazz, using local resources as much as possible. For the Wisconsin in Scotland experience, the courses were adjusted to reflect concert venues and musicians from the region to enhance learning with the students and create cultural exchange opportunities.
Abroad Conducting Tour Experience: Three Rivers Concert Band
Founder, Conductor, Manager
May 2024
Ireland, England
June 2022
Holland, Belgium, Germany*
June 2018
Italy, Switzerland, France*
June 2016
Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic*
June 2014
Spain*
*My role is to recruit, rehearse, and conduct a band comprised of individuals’ college age- adult in a cultural exchange with local bands and musicians. Detailed tour planning includes reaching out to various universities and musicians in cities abroad for collaboration in rehearsals and performances we visit. I design the tour and concerts in various locations as we represent music not only from United States, but compositions in each country visited on the tour. As a priority, a guest conductor or musician is secured to work with this ensemble to aid in cultural exchange. Receptions after each concert allow time to connect with musicians, community members, and concert organizers. A new composition is performed and shared with each band that collaborates in performance. Side-by-side concert performances with local community groups is the goal of the Three Rivers Concert Band to enhance musician interaction at each concert venue.
2025
Wisconsin Concert Band Association Lifetime Achievement Award
2020
Luther College Alumni Award
Nominated and voted on by the Board of Regents and the Alumni Council, this award is for graduates who demonstrate outstanding service in their career. Additional service to Luther College as an alumni including Class Agent (1999-present), Development efforts for scholarships, funding of a family scholarship, raising money for the class of 1980 scholarship. Guest conductor in 2020 for the Dorian Band Festival, 2019,2017 Dorian Summer Music Camp conductor/saxophone teacher and student teacher supervisor as an adjunct faculty member are her contributions also.
2023
Knowles International Travel Grant
2020
Knowles International Travel Award
2019
College of Arts and Science Service Award
2015
Outstanding Faculty: Excellence in Service
Community Service (UW River Falls)
2010
Outstanding Faculty: Excellence in Service
Music Profession (UW River Falls)
2006
Outstanding Alumni: Carlos A. Sperati Award
“In recognition of meritorious achievement in the field of instrumental music”.
(Luther College) Decorah, Iowa
1992
Outstanding Music Educator: (UW-River Falls)
1990
Teacher of the Year (Hudson High School)
- Publications
- Tjornehoj, K. (2024) “Look for the Silver Lining” WMEA Journal.
- Tjornehoj, K. (2023) “Creative Intersection: Music and Technology” WMEA Journal.
- Tjornehoj, K. (2022) “The Baton and the Role of the Conductor” WASBE Journal. www.wasbe.org.
- Tjornehoj, K. (2021) “Lifelong Learning”. WMEA Journal.
- Tjornehoj, K. (2019) “The Music of Gregory Fritze” WASBE Journal. www.wasbe.org.
- Tjornehoj, K. (2012) “The Musical Style of Nancy Galbraith” WASBE World. Vol. 2,
- No. 2 January www.wasbe.org.
- Tjornehoj K. (2010) “The Magic of Music” WASBE World. Vol. 3, No. 2
- www.wasbe.org.
- Non-referred:
- Tjornehoj, K. (2011) “The Parent Connection”. The Wisconsin School Musician.
- Vol. 82, No. 2, Madison, Wisconsin, 52 – 53.
- Tjornehoj, K. (2010) “Building Bridges through Music Education”. The Wisconsin School Musician.
- Vol. 81, No. 2, Madison, Wisconsin, 56 – 57.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1997) “The Power of Music” The Wisconsin School Musician. Vol. 68,
- No.1, Madison, Wisconsin, 42.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1995) “An Old and New Perspective on Educational Reform”
- The Wisconsin School Musician. Vol. 65, No. 5, Madison, Wisconsin, 40 – 45.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1995) “An Interview with Dr. Paul Haack” The Wisconsin School
- Musician. Vol. 65, No. 6, Madison, Wisconsin.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1994) “Avoiding the Pitfalls of Travel” The Wisconsin School Musician.
- Vol. 64, No. 4, Madison, Wisconsin, 19.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1994) “Influencing Your Future” The Wisconsin School Musician.
- Vol. 64, No. 6, Madison, Wisconsin.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1993) “Health Maintenance: Physical and Emotional” The Wisconsin School Musician. Vol. 63, No. 4, Madison, Wisconsin.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1993) “Influences of Political and Social Moods on the Educational Process” The Wisconsin School Musician. Vol. 63, No. 3, Madison, Wisconsin.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1992) “Politics and Music” The Wisconsin School Musician. Vol. 63, No. 2 Madison, Wisconsin, 66.
- Tjornehoj, K. (1991) “Music = Marketing” The Wisconsin School Musician.
- Vol. 64, No. 5, Madison, Wisconsin, 56.
- Music Conductor Presentations
Conductor, Golden Valley Symphony Orchestra
2021
Conductor, Shell Lake Arts Center Honors Festival
2021
Conductor, Luther College Dorian Festival
2020
Conductor, Wisconsin Eastern Honors Band
2019
Conductor, Opera on the River
2019
Conductor, American Spring Festival: Prague, CZConductor, Opera on the River
2017
Conductor, Municipal Band: Pinto, Spain
2017
Conductor, Municipal Band: Madridejos, Spain
2017
Conductor, Dorian Music Camp: Luther College
2017
Conductor, Three Rivers Concert Band International Tour
2016
Conductor, Prague Castle Wind Band Concert
2015
Conductor, Indiana All-State Honors Band
2015
- Personal Recordings/productions Youtube/websites/cd/virtual Concerts
Pianist: “Early Evening Walk” Gregory Fritze YouTube/Website
2020
Saxophone: “We Are the World” arr. Natalia Montenez YouTube
2020
Conductor: “Canzona” Gregory Frize YouTube/Website
2020
Conductor: “Lullaby” Boston Brass arrangement YouTube/Website
2020
Producer: “Jack Swanson/Katie Henley Coffee Concert”
2020
Interviews:”Jack Swanson”; “Katie Henley”, “Ivan Konev”, “Laura Sewell”
2020
Assistant Producer: “Gambol” Jack Stamp w/ Minnesota Orchestra Brass
2020
- Presentations
- World Association of Symphony Bands and Ensembles Conference. “Music of Jurij Filas” , July, 2022. Prague, CZ
- Wisconsin School Music Association Conference, “Lifelong Engagement Strategies”, Oct. 2021
- . Wisconsin School Music Association Conference, “Collaboration” Oct. 2021
- . Shell Lake Arts Center Band Festival, “Motivation for Directors”, Oct. 2021
- Minnesota Music Educators Conference, “Composition Analysis and Performance Preparations: Jack Stamp and Erika Svanoe, composers.” Feb. 2018
- Wisconsin School Music Association Conference, “Lifelong Learning”, Oct. 2021
- Barron, Wisconsin, “Cultural Exchange: Czech Republic and more”, Jan., 2018
- Pinto, Spain, “Music Education in the United States”, Feb. 2017
- OPID Video Conference “Creative Assessments Online”, Jan. 2016
- Wisconsin School Music Association Conference,
- “The Art of the Polka”, 2015
- “Symphony Band Concert”, 2015
- Wisconsin School Music Association Conference,
- “Music of Czech Americans”, 2014
- Minnesota Music Educators Conference,
- “Day of Advocacy”, 2013
- Minnesota Music Educators Conference,
- “Advocacy is not optional”, 2012
- Wisconsin School Music Association,
- “Advocacy for all”, 2011
- Hudson Public Schools Staff Retreat,
- “Leadership in the Workplace”, 2011
- International Women Composers Conference,
- “Women Composers of Band Music”, 2010
- “Conducting new Music”, 2010
- St. Croix Valley Human Resources Conference, 2010
- “Time Management: You Can Succeed!”
- Wisconsin Indianhead Technical Institute, 2010
- “Self-Management in the Workplace”
- National Band Association Wisconsin Conference, 2008
- “Music of Midwestern Composers”
- International Peace Gardens, 2008
- “Creativity Through Improvisation”
- Shell Lake Arts Center, 2008
- “Programming: a Comprehensive Approach to Music Instruction”
- Hudson Rotary Club, 2008
- “Arts in the St. Croix Valley: The White Pine Festival”
- St. Croix Valley Music Teachers Association, 2008
- “Refresh, Renew and Invigorate your teaching studio”
- St. Croix Valley Music Teachers Association, 2007
- “Integrating the Arts into Instruction of Music”
- New Richmond 2020 Business Community, 2007
- “Economic Impact of Arts on Society”
- New Richmond Rotary, 2007
- “Arts in the St. Croix Valley: UW-River Falls/ The White Pine Festival”
- Wisconsin State Music Conference, 2006
- “Music of Wisconsin Composers”
- St. Croix Valley Community Foundation, 2006
- “Grant Writing for Music Educators”
- St. Croix Valley Piano Teachers Association, 2005
- “Care, Management and Soulfulness for Teachers”
- Wisconsin School Music Association Conference, Madison, Wisconsin 2003
- “Fine Tune your Conducting”
- Region’s Hospital Restructuring Summit, St. Paul, Minnesota 2000
- “The Orchestra: Working Together to Achieve Excellence”
- Wisconsin School Music Association Conference,Madison, Wisconsin 2000 “Gesture Development for the Conductor”
- Wisconsin School Music Association Conference, Madison, Wisconsin 1999 “Improving your Conducting Through Self-assessment and Evaluation”
- Wisconsin School Music Association Conference,Madison, Wisconsin 1998 “Returning the Focus to the Concert Band”
- Wisconsin Music Teachers Association, St. Croix County, Wisconsin 1998 “How to Keep your Teaching Ideas Fresh and Avoid Burnout”
- Minnesota Piano Teachers Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1997 “Motivation: Your Students and You Can Excel”
- Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Lakeland, Minnesota 1997 “Bach, the Religious Musician”
| 2025 | Mediterranean Dreams | Eduardo Betes |
| 2024 | Clarinet Concerto | Oscar Navarro |
| 2024 | Ponce | Gregory Fritze |
| 2023 | MiMi’s Song | Amy Nam |
| 2022 | Paconchita | Oscar Navarro |
| 2021 | Last Day of the Dinosaurs | Javier Pérez Garrido |
| 2021 | St. Cecilia’s Hymn | Charles Giffen |
| 2018 | Pamatnik | Jacob Beranek |
| 2017 | L’Effet Diver | Stan Niewenhuis |
| 2016 | Fifty Shades of E | Johan de Meij |
| 2016 | Celtic Classics | Johan de Meij |
| 2016 | Fanfare "Churn Ahoy" | Jack Stamp |
| 2015 | Images | Amy Williams |
| 2015 | Navigating Cresson | Jack Stamp |
| 2014 | Concerto for Clarinet & Wind Ensemble | David Maslanka |
| 2013 | Euphonium Concerto | Johan de Meij |
| 2013 | The Man I Love | G.Gershwin/arr. J. Michael Roy |
| 2012 | An American Tapestry | Daniel Kallman |
| 2011 | Our Chance to Fly | Golden/arr. Tjornehoj & Unseth |
| 2010 | Spring* | Johan de Meij |
| 2010 | At Kitty O’Shea’s | Johan de Meij |
| 2010 | Zululand | Michael Colgrass |
| 2009 | Pulse | Todd Coleman |
| 2009 | KristinMark | Gregory Fritze |
| 2007 | On a Thomas Tallis Theme | John Zdechlik |
| 2007 | Quetzalcoatl | J. Michael Roy |
| 2007 | Northern Lights | J. Michael Roy |
| 2007 | La Tomatina | Gregory Fritz |
Select Grants/funding/awards
| 2024 | St. Croix Foundation (Valley Arts) | $3,200.00 |
| 2023 | St. Croix Foundation (Valley Arts) | $2,500.00 |
| 2020 | St. Croix Foundation Grant (Valley Arts) | $5,000.00 |
| 2019 | Knowles Grant | $2,500.00 |
| 2019 | Professional Development Grant | $1,500.00 |
| 2018 | Professional Development Grant | $1,300.00 |
| 2018 | Online Teaching Institute Course Design | $3,000.00 |
| 2018 | Gangstead Concert Funding | $5,000.00 |
| 2017 | Gangstead Concert Funding | $5,000.00 |
| 2017 | Sabbatical | $25,000.00 |
| 2017 | Robert P. Knowles International Education Grant | $850.00 |
| 2016 | Hugh J. Andersen "Non-Profit Management" | $1,000.00 |
| 2016 | Online Teaching Institute Course Redesign | $3,000.00 |
| 2016 | CAS Grant (Band Invitational) | $3,000.00 |
| 2016 | Mary Ella Jerome Family Foundation | $20,000.00 |
| 2016 | Professional Development Grant | $1,200.00 |
| 2015 | Wisconsin State Arts Board Grant | $2,000.00 |
| 2015 | Mary Ella Jerome Family Foundation | $20,000.00 |
| 2015 | Wayne Peterson Estate (given for Instrumental Music) | $10,000.00 |
| 2015 | Robert P. Knowles International Education Grant | $1,267.00 |
| 2015 | Professional Development Grant | $1,000.00 |
| 2015 | CAS Grant (Band Invitational) | $3,000.00 |
| 2015 | Professional Development Grant | $900.00 |
| 2014 | Valley Arts Grant | $1,000.00 |
| 2014 | Valley Arts Grant | $2,500.00 |
| 2014 | St. Croix Foundation Grant | $2,000.00 |
| 2013 | Professional Development Grant | $750.00 |
| 2013 | St. Croix Valley Community Foundation Wisconsin Arts Board/Valley Arts Grant | $2,000.00 |
| 2013 | St. Croix Valley Community Foundation Wisconsin Arts Board/Valley Arts Grant | $2,000.00 |
| 2011 | St. Croix Valley Community Foundation Wisconsin Arts Board/Valley Arts Grant St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra support | $1,300.00 |
| 2010 | St. Croix Valley Community Foundation | $1,600.00 |
- Wisconsin School Music Association Board of Directors
- Wisconsin School Music Association Lifelong Learning, Chair (2020-2024)Hudson Hospital Board of Directors (2015-2025)
- Hudson Hospital Quality of Care Committee, Chair (2022-2025)
- St. Croix Community Foundation Grants/Programs (2000-2025)
- St. Croix Community Foundation Music Education Committee, Chair (2025)
- Phipps Center for the Arts – Music Council (1995-2025)
- Phipps Center of the Arts Music Council Programming Committee
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
- College of Arts and Science Curriculum Committee; Tenure Task Force;
- CAS Promotions; Terminations
- Luther College Class Agent (2023-2025)
- Luther College Alumni Homecoming Committee (2020)
- World Association of Bands and Ensembles
- College Band Directors National Association
- Wisconsin Concert Band Association
- Wisconsin Concert Band Association
- Minnesota Music Educators Association
- National Association for Music Education