Shell Lake Arts' new director a familiar face in the EC music scene

The Shell Lake Arts Center has announced Travis Christopherson as its new executive director, someone that is familiar to both the center and to the Eau Claire music scene.

“I was a counselor and a jazz combo leader there in 1989, actually,” said Christopherson in a recent interview. “It was really an inspirational place at the time, and I think it still is.”

The center got its start 56 years ago when it was recognized that there was a need for a regional educational arts center, and that continues to this day as the center encourages students to come and learn various artistic skills. Throughout its history, the center has had students from almost every state in the nation, as well as some from more than 20 countries.

Programs offered include classes to learn painting, creative writing, music production, ceramics, film production, photography, and multiple musical disciplines such as rock band, show choir and jazz ensemble.

And this may by why picking Christopherson made so much sense.

Christopherson started his path to music as a music major at UW-Eau Claire in 1985, later finishing his music undergraduate degree at UW-La Crosse. Eventually he got his master’s degree in jazz pedagogy at the University of Northern Iowa.

But music was a constant in Christopherson’s life even earlier.

“I’ve been playing trombone and guitar pretty much since I was 10, 11 years old,” he explained.

People may recognize him as the singer and guitar player of the local country band Kid Kactus, a band that’s been together since 1997. The band has played annual events in the area such as Country Fest and Country Jam, having opened for the likes of Brad Paisley and “The Voice” alum Chris Kroeze.

“In our heyday, we probably played between 60, 65 shows a year. It’s kind of weird to not play every weekend now, but this is a really great new opportunity at Shell Lake,” he said.

After all, Christopherson wouldn’t be where he is now without Shell Lake in his life.

“It really showed me what I could do, and it gave me a new focus and a catalyst for my future plans and then it took off from there,” he said.

THE CVJO GOES LATIN

Christopherson is also a part of the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra.

“I’m also currently their trombone player and have been going on 10 years now. We perform at the Pablo four times a year at least, and it’s a fantastic group,” he said. “We did have a sold-out show with Wayne Bergeron at our last concert.”

Christopherson will perform with the CVJO as they present “Songas, Sambas and SWING,” featuring the works of several Latin big bands and performers, including Tito Puente, Mario Bauzá, Michael Philip Mossman, Bobby Sanabria, and more.

The show takes place Friday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Jamf Theater at the Pablo Center, 128 Graham Ave. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/3xzvhra6.