The Shell Lake Arts Center Board of Directors remember and honor Elaine Bullens for her contributions to the organization. Bullens had served on the Board of Directors since 2017. She passed away in August after a short illness.
Elaine graduated from Marquette High School in Alton, IL. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University, followed by her Master’s degree in Fine Arts and Music from New York University. She lived in New York for 20 years as a professional opera singer, performing multiple times at Carnegie Hall, on Broadway, where she was delighted to perform with Leonard Bernstein, and countless locations abroad.
After her years of performing Opera at the highest levels, Elaine chose a new path. Elaine was united in marriage to Robert Bullens in 1988. Together they went on to live in Holland, MI.; Duluth, MN.; Peoria, IL.; and finally finding their forever home in Trego, WI.
Elaine had a great passion and talent for music. She was a teacher of music at Kalamazoo College in Michigan and was head of the Opera Workshops at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Once settled in Trego, WI she was a regular substitute music teacher for classes in the Spooner, Minong, and Shell Lake school districts. Most recently, Elaine volunteered her time on the Board of Directors for the Shell Lakes Performing Arts Center. She would volunteer each week to sing at the Happy Day Club (Alzheimer’s Group) in Spooner, WI., and would often participate in the Glenview residents ‘Hymn Sing’ in Shell Lake, WI. She was a very generous woman and used her God given time, talents, and treasures to brighten the lives of those around her.
The Shell Lake Arts Center offers our deepest sympathy to her family and husband, Robert.