David Stocker, musician, activist, teacher and performance artist

As a lover of the natural world, David finds inspiration and solace on our rivers and in our remarkable forest preserves. He makes music among the trees; and listens to the music the woods and rivers sing back to him. As a teaching artist-in-residence, David guides students in recreating and experiencing thunder music, shooting star music, woodpecker, rain, breeze and swaying grass music. The Grove at Severson Dells reflects David’s artistic design talent. He and fellow local artist, Drew Helge, were commissioned to create this unique playground and performance area in 2014. David explains, “Drew and I used mainly wood and stone. We integrated fun found objects with natural materials in five creative unstructured play areas; for sound exploration, for art, for climbing, calling and listening, so that curious kids (and their parents and grandparents) can experience the natural world in new and inviting ways. There is no instruction booklet for The Grove.”