06/01/2022
Lori Dokken has been chosen as the Grand Marshal of the 2022 Pioneerland Band Festival.
Lori was born and raised in Benson. Growing up with a vibrant arts program in the schools and a rich heritage of music in the religious community, it wasn’t long before she immersed herself in many productions, choirs, performances, and music contests.
After graduating with the Benson High School class of 1977, Lori went on to Augsburg College for a year and then Concordia College. She was a voice major and a member of the concert choir at both colleges.
Lori’s professional performance career began at open mics while living in Chicago in 1980, and has expanded to include titles of pianist, producer, arranger, music director, performance coach, college educator, and video/audio recording and production over the past 40+ years. Her talents have been utilized by theatre and venues such as The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, The Minnesota History Theatre, The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, The Dakota, Crooners and many private events and fundraisers.
Lori is very grateful for the fantastic opportunities she has been afforded in the professional music industry and is always quick to mention and very proud to note that it all started with the compassionate mentors and dedicated instructors that she was blessed to have supporting her journey during those formative days in the small town that she came from … Benson, Minnesota.
