After growing up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Mrs. Linda Bakken received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She went on to receive a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Mrs. Bakken has performed with the East Lansing Symphony, and the Rochester and Mankato Minnesota symphony orchestras. After a "short" retirement, she was interim band director at Blue Earth Area High School and will now begin her 36th year as a member of the GHEC Music Department. Apart from school, she enjoys traveling, cross-stitching, quilting, and reading. She lives in Blue Earth with her husband Steve and they enjoy visiting their children in the Twin Cities.