RISAN STUDIES

Risan Studies has developed the Cresta Alta Field Guide which is included in screenings of the Cresta Alta Film. The guide assists viewers in understanding the terminology and research methodology featured in Cresta Alta.

The Cresta Alta Film Tour is engaging audiences throughout the US with arts councils, colleges, high schools and museums at events produced by The Risan Project. The 2025 tour features Risan Media's expedition-based climate change documentary film titled, Cresta Alta, that chronicles a journey to Alaska, Iceland, Chile and Peru to document glaciological research expeditions and sustainability. The screenings are followed by a Risan Studies Q&A with environmental filmmaker and socially-conscious musician, Todd Anders Johnson, who studied development issues at the University of Washington. With a foundational perspective that more sustainable policies are imperative and that there are effective renewable and sustainable options to employ regionally, nationally and globally, Todd has dedicated himself to the arts in creating entertaining and educational film, music and events.

As students across the nation face an uncertain future in educational opportunities with reduced funding resources paired with the deconstruction of environmental and climate science organizations, the Cresta Alta Film Tour is a timely forum of entertainment and education focused on the practical applications of climate change scientific research, renewable energy, and sustainability initiatives. 

The film features Danish glaciologist, Dr. Sebastian Mernild, sharing how his research in the Andes was funded by the Chilean National Science Foundation and also showcases how a USAID-funded program in Huaraz, Peru, aims to use bio-remediation to clean river water of heavy metals that is occurring due to deglaciation. These expeditions and their findings highlight the efficacy of scientific organizational programs and the need for continued research funding. These salient discussion topics are now being explored in our post-film screening Q&As with students who are trying to find gravity in this changing educational environment. 

Our programs infuse ethnomusicology into our curriculum and muse upon how traditional rhythms are present in contemporary music idioms as well as the historic relationships of drumming to dance and world views. 

We teach group and individual workshops and classes in hand drumming techniques and patterns, syncopation, notation, time signatures, clave, poly-rhythms and ensemble performance. 

Todd Anders Johnson was a fabulous team member in supporting the music program at Summit High School in Breckenridge, Colorado during the five years I taught there. He taught drum classes and improvisation in the areas of jazz and hip hop before and after school with special clinics, workshops and concerts. What a positive asset to the musical education of these young aspiring human beings. Todd was a critical part of our team, and with him we were so much more successful. So glad I had him there by my side as a colleague; what an inspiration. I learned so much from him!

Dr. Linda Shea, Summit High School

Todd Anders Johnson is an environmental filmmaker, socially-conscious musician and educator and independently produced Cresta Alta. With the Risan Brands family of companies, Todd merges his passions for the environment, the arts, cannabis and outdoor recreation. Todd studied development issues at the University of Washington. With a foundational perspective that more sustainable policies are imperative and that there are effective renewable and sustainable options to employ regionally, nationally and globally, Todd has dedicated himself to the arts in creating entertaining and educational film, music and events. Todd’s passions for exploring big mountains brought him from Vermont to Seattle and then Alaska, where his first of many tours and expeditions began throughout the glaciated state. Todd now lives with his family high in the mountains of Colorado.