Minnesota native’s song chosen as opening theme for WNBA games on CBS

MINNEAPOLIS – Emily Bjorke says everything she does is rooted in women empowerment.

These roots lie in her high school days, when she played in an all-girl punk band in the Twin Cities.

Bjorke graduated from Maple Grove High School in 2016 and continued playing while attending Mankato State University.

“I love writing music for myself, but I love writing music that ultimately goes to other people,” she said.

Bjorke began composing music for Minneapolis-based In the Groove Music and was given the opportunity to write the opening theme for WNBA games on CBS—something that felt just right for her.

“I will do everything in my power to make it the most powerful sound that empowers me and hope for the best that it will do the same for other people,” said Bjorke.

Bjorke’s contribution was selected from all submissions.

In May, she heard her music on national television from her couch in Los Angeles. It happened to be a game between her hometown team—the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty.

“I was over the moon. I actually said I would cut my hair if I got it because I wanted it so much,” Bjorke said. “And my hair is up but cut. I’m a little intense in that way.”

Through her work, she has become a fan of the game and she hopes others do too.

“I just hope that everyone who watches it, whether they’re a WNBA fan now or not, or hopefully will be one, is welcomed into the game, is excited, is ready to go and is ready to live a changed life when they join this world, just like I am,” Bjorke said.