by Bette Benson (LACIS Social Media/Outreach Intern, BA, LACIS, Pol Sci, & Intl Stud ’15)
LACIS Alum Ty Peterson has been making a splash in the Cuban Salsa music scene! Ty was profiled by the Wisconsin State Journal back in March and we wanted to get to know a little more!
What did you major in? BA Trombone Performance and BA LACIS
Why were you interested in pursuing the LACIS major? The LACIS major afforded me the opportunity to study what I was really interested in – Latin American music/culture in a broader sense, and Afro-Cuban music in a more focused sense. I also took a lot of Spanish classes which was a huge benefit post college and in traveling.
How did the LAICS major impact where you are now? The LACIS major helped to shape the kind of musician I am and the kind of musician I am aspiring to be. It allowed me to dig in to Latin American music and it gave me the tools to travel to Cuba and dig the music there.

Ty is in Madison’s own salsa band SON Contrabando. Find them on Facebook, SoundCloud,Twitter
Keep up the great work, Ty!