Terri Bocklund (Artist-in-Residence, 2013)

Isle Royale Reflection

"My time on Isle Royale as Artist in Residence quite literally changed my life. The “genius loci” (spirit of place) is powerful on this northern island wilderness, and I breathed it, drank it, and wrapped myself in its embrace. The creative time was rich and deep, for the inspiration of Isle Royale’s wild beauty is infinite.

The amazing story of the Isle Royale wolves captured my heart, I have become an activist for wolf conservation, a “wolftivist,” if you will. I have partnered with the Center for Biological Diversity efforts to keep wolves on the Endangered Species List, as well as their efforts to keep the Endangered Species Act intact. My passion for wolf conservation has inspired new music, and I’ve been pleased to perform my wolf-aware songs at National Parks, State Parks, Wildlife Refuges, and Wolf Conservation facilities."

- Terri Bocklund, February 2020

About the Artist

Terri Bocklund was an Isle Royale Artist-in-Residence from July 2nd to July 17th, 2013. She grew up in Minnesota, studying piano, guitar, and voice as a youngster. She explored songwriting, composing, and arranging at a young age, and has written hundreds of songs as well as works for choirs, classical guitar, and piano.

She attended Augsburg University in Minneapolis and earned a Music Therapy degree, and followed that with as Master of Arts at United Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA. She worked as a full-time church musician for years, then achieved certification as a K-12 Vocal/General Music Educator and worked for 17 years teaching classroom guitar, piano, music theory, vocal music, and music technology in suburban Baltimore, Maryland.

Terri has recorded five albums of original music, including “Of Lake and Isle,” her original suite of music inspired by Isle Royale and the Lake Superior region. The project contains guitar solos, duets, and songs, and includes a traditional Ojibwa song. Terri continues to be an active composer and performer.

• Visit Terri's website to hear more about her Isle Royale residency.
• Visit WTIP.org to hear an interview about her experience on the island.