Planning Team Members

Dr. Christopher J. Russell, Director of Choirs and Music Department Chair, earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Northwestern College, a Master of Arts in Music Education with a Choral emphasis at the University of St. Thomas, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music at the University of Minnesota. He has also worked toward a Master of Divinity at Bethel Theological Seminary. Having previously taught middle school music in the tropical climate of the Dominican Republic, he will have taught twelve years at Park High School by the end of the 2008-2009 academic year. At East Ridge High School, Dr. Russell will teach all choirs. He is an expert on the incorporation of music technology in music education, and has presented at several professional conventions on the subject. In addition to his activities at school, Dr. Russell is a lyric tenor and tubist, and has been a guest conductor of the South Washington County Community Band, has served as the orchestra director for the Woodbury Community Theater, and has sung with both the Minnesota Opera and the Minnesota Chorale, and looks forward to performing more in the future.

Dr. Russell grew up in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in a high school where the high school bands are nationally recognized. He married his wife in October 2006, and is a proud step-father of an eight-year old boy. On May 5th, 2008, Dr. Russell and his wife had a baby boy, who is a bundle of activity. Dr. Russell loves to do things on two wheels, so he enjoys bicycling as well as motorcycling. He has also lost seventy pounds over the last year, and is enjoying a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Dr. Russell is excited about the potential for the music program at East Ridge, as well as the technology that will be present at the school to help us achieve excellence. He would like families to know how passionate he is about his job, and how much he loves teaching. Over the past twelve years, he has helped to make great things happen at Park High School, and one of his greatest joys has been working with students. He has the education, commitment, and desire to make ERHS into one of the premiere music programs in the State of Minnesota.