BETHANY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES SOLOISTS FOR 145TH CONSECUTIVE MESSIAH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
January 23, 2026
Internationally Acclaimed Vocalists Join Bethany College for Historic 145th Messiah Festival of the Arts
LINDSBORG, KS. January 23, 2025 —Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) today announced the world-renowned soloists for the 145th consecutive performance of the Messiah Festival of the Arts, one of the longest-running annual performances of Handel’s beloved oratorio in the United States. This year’s festival will feature an exceptional lineup of internationally recognized vocalists, continuing a tradition that has brought world-class music to the Lindsborg community for nearly a century and a half.
The soloists for this year’s performance include:
- Soprano Alyssa Nance — Known for her “marvelous, soaring tone” (KC Metropolis) and “unbridled dexterity” (Kansas City Star), Nance is an operatic, concert, and choral artist with a repertoire spanning standard and contemporary works. She has performed with Opera Omaha,Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Wichita Grand Opera, and professional ensembles including The Crossing, Spire Chamber Ensemble, and the Kansas City Chorale. Nance holds a Master of Music from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and maintains a private voice studio in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
- Mezzo-soprano Deanna Ray Eberhart — Eberhart returns to the Santa Fe Opera in 2026 in The Magic Flute and the North American premiere of Tobias Picker’s Lili Elbe. She made her Santa Fe debut in 2025 as Rossweisse in Die Walküre and has performed leading roles with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Eberhart holds a double MM degree in Voice Performance and Church Music from the University of Kansas and a BA in Music from the University of Northern Iowa.
- Tenor Aaron Cates — A performer passionate about collaborative ensemble singing, Cates has appeared with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Apollo’s Fire, Seraphic Fire, and Washington Bach Consort. He has performed as tenor soloist for Handel’s Messiah with the Handel Choir of Baltimore and as Evangelist in Bach’s St. John Passion. Cates holds music degrees from the University of South Carolina and Baylor University and is currently a member of the music staff at the Washington National Cathedral.
- Baritone Chris Thompson — Thompson divides his career among opera, oratorio, recitals, and musical theatre as soloist, conductor, and music director. His repertoire includes Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music, and the title role in staged productions of Elijah. Thompson serves as Coordinator of Vocal Studies at Missouri State University and has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and England.
- Bass Leslie John Flanagan — An Australian baritone with international acclaim, Flanagan has performed at the Sydney Opera House, English National Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Royal Albert Hall, and Edinburgh Festival. Bethany College Messiah Festival is excited to welcome him back in this important role. His operatic roles include Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Escamillo (Carmen), Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), and Ned Keene (Peter Grimes). He is Chair of Vocal Studies at the University of Oklahoma and a faculty member of the Interharmony Festival in Piedmont, Italy.
“The Messiah Festival of the Arts has been a cornerstone of our community for 145 consecutive years,
and we are honored to welcome such extraordinary soloists to carry forward this tradition,” said Bethany
College President, Dr. Laura Crawley. “This performance not only celebrates Handel’s masterpiece but
also highlights the enduring power of music to bring people together.”
To purchase tickets, please visit: www.messiahfestival.org
About Bethany College
Founded in 1881, Bethany College is Kansas’ first institution of higher learning. Located in Lindsborg,
Bethany offers a rigorous liberal arts education rooted in the values of leadership, service, and academic
excellence. For more information about Bethany College, visit www.bethanylb.edu.
CONTACT: Christie Denniston
Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Engagement
dennistoncl@bethanylb.edu
785-227-3380 x. 8105
Bethany College
335 East Swensson Street
Lindsborg, KS 67456
Grant Provides Critical Resources to Enhance the Student Experience and Institutional Growth
Lindsborg, Kan. – Bethany College is proud to announce the 2026 Hall of Honor award recipients, recognizing eight individuals whose achievements and service have made a lasting impact on Swede Athletics. "The Athletics Hall of Honor celebrates those who exemplify excellence, leadership, and commitment in sport,” shared Laura Moreno, Dean of Athletics. The 2026 class embodies those attributes and much more. From memorable performances in five different sports, to remarkable coaching careers in nearby communities, to local business owners who support our current Swedes students and staff, this entire group has elevated our programs and department and embodied the very best of our institution. We look forward to honoring and celebrating their extraordinary achievements this October.” The annual Bethany College Hall of Honor Award Ceremony celebrates former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters whose excellence, leadership, and dedication have shaped Bethany College athletics. This year's honorees include four Hall of Honor inductees, two Coach of the Year recipients, and two Bethany Athletic Association (BAA) Award of Merit recipients. Bethany College Hall of Honor award winners include: • Sven Delin, a 2001 graduate, was a captain of the golf team that won four consecutive conference championships, leading to four national championship appearances. He won the conference tournament individually...twice! Delin was also a four-year all-conference academic athlete. • Vinny Butka, a 1982 graduate, was a three-time KCAC shot put champion, District 10 indoor shot put champion in 1981, ACCK champion in 1980 and 1982, three-time outdoor national qualifier, and ranks second in Bethany College history for shot put distance. • Tim Leaf, awarded posthumously, a 1981 graduate, was the KCAC Individual Champion in cross country in 1979 and 1980. In 1979, Leaf was the lead runner on Bethany College’s only KCAC championship team. He placed 33rd in the national cross country meet and remains the highest finishing individual in Bethany College history. In track, Leaf won the 1980 5,000-meter race and set the current school record with a time of 15:18.64. • Amy (Yonally) Wilson, a 1999 graduate, was a dual-sport athlete playing softball and volleyball. In volleyball, she was named to an all-conference volleyball team. In softball, Wilson was a four-time all-conference softball player, all-region softball award winner, and made the All-American Farm Team. Bethany College Coach of the Year award winners include: • Kent Teeter, a 1987 graduate, has had many successes over the last 39 years from his time at Hays High School and his current position at Holcomb High School. While coaching football, Teeter has won two state championships and four league titles. He has also been named the Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year twice, KFBCA Coach of the Year in 2015, and KFBCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024. Along with coaching football, Teeter has also been successful in coaching track and field as he led his Holcomb boys' teams to three consecutive state titles (looking to make it four next year), seven league titles (currently on a four-year streak), and six top three finishes in the state track meet. He has coached over 25 different individual state titles in track and field as well. • Greg Maxwell, a 1997 graduate, coaches both volleyball and girls' basketball at Ellinwood High School. In volleyball, he has over 230 career wins and won the 2025 2A State Championship with a perfect 47-0 record. In girls' basketball, Maxwell led his team to the 2026 2A State Championship, finishing as the runner-up. These were the first ever state tournament wins for Ellinwood who were also the Central Prairie League champions. Maxwell holds a 2A state runner up finish in girls' golf as well. Bethany Athletic Association Award of Merit award winners include: • Danielle (DuMars) Greene and Spencer Greene. Danielle, a 2013 graduate, and her husband have made an immediate impact on Bethany College Athletics. They are a host family for Women’s Basketball, providing numerous meals for the team as well. The Greenes are also the owners of the Ol’ Stuga which hosts the Coaches Radio Show and is a valued partner for both Athletics and Bethany College as a whole. • Brandi Swenson, owner of the Crown & Rye, has also hosted the Coaches Radio Show while also hosting many Swedes Athletics celebrations and playoff sendoff events. In addition, Crown and Rye provided food for the 2026 All Swede Awards, the annual Athletic Department celebration for all teams and student-athletes. The Crown & Rye is a valued partner of Bethany College Athletics. All recipients will be honored during a special ceremony during Homecoming/Inauguration Weekend on Sunday, October 25. About Bethany College Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. CONTACT: Christie Denniston, APR Vice President of Strategic Engagement 303-827-5164 Bethany College 335 East Swensson Street Lindsborg, KS 67456
Recipients Embody the Spirit of Bethany Through Lifelong Service, Generosity, Leadership, and Advocacy
