Soprano 1 Section LEADER
LINDSEY MARTS
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lenexa, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I have been in the chorus since Fall 2011, and I've served on the board as the Sop 1 section leader 2 times, I was also the Social Media Chair for several seasons. I am a music therapist and specialize working with children on the Autism Spectrum. My husband and I have 2 dogs and 2 kitties. I love to cook, watercolor, and find fun places to eat/drink in Kansas City.
Soprano 1 Section mEMBERS
LAURA ALEXANDER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Smithville, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Hello, I’m Laura! I have been a member of the symphony chorus for one season and can’t wait for more to come! I am a full time cake decorator, cat lover, and I love to cook. My favorite hobbies are going to the antique mall and watching movies with friends.
BARB ALLINDER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Independence, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Messiah Choir member about 40 years. I live with my husband, John, and black lab. We have 5 grandchildren. I love to travel, garden, sing and spend time with grandkids.
REBECCA BAKER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Raymore, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Rebecca has been a member of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus since 2013. A native of Western Kansas, she grew up singing in church and school choirs. After studying voice in college in Los Angeles she moved to Kansas City where she continues to perform some with local opera companies. She also teaches private lessons at the Southland Conservatory in Raymore and enjoys collecting vinyl with her husband David!
NELLIE BILLS
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Chorus Member since fall of 2019. Grew up in Olathe. Have worked in higher education for the last three years. Love exploring local coffee shops and breweries.
RACHEL BURKE
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Leavenworth, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I enjoy gardening, spending time with my chickens, cats, and family. Being outdoors is my favorite place. I also love Qigong and Pilates.
EMILY BUTLER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Olathe, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I was born & raised in the Kansas City area. I studied voice at Belmont University in Nashville and finished my degree at KU. Since then, I have been a professional pastry chef, a realtor on one of the best teams in town, & the mother of an amazing little boy. My husband & I love to cook, travel, & spend time outside as a family. I have loved being a part of KCSC, it feels amazing to sing with people again!
SOFIA GILLESPIE
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I lived in Latvia for 2 years, one as a student and one as a teacher.I lived in Latvia for 2 years, one as a student and one as a teacher.
DEANNA HARTMAN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: River Market
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I speak four languages fluently, have lived in five different countries and have visited 25 so far. My profession is in communications and I am passionate about sports, especially soccer (as stated in one of my favorite shows, Ted Lasso, "Fútbol is life"), drumming, dancing, singing, photography and traveling. As an extrovert, I love being social and doing things with my family and friends. My favorite foods and drinks are spaghetti, fruits and vegetables, cheesecake, coffee and red wine. Animals are one of the things I love the most in this world and I have had a dog and/or cat almost my entire life. Favorite books of mine are "Cultures and Organizations: The Software of the Mind" and "The Alchemist."
ERICA HAZELTON
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Brookside
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: "Hi, I joined the chorus in fall of 2012. I’m married to my jazz organist hubby and we have two busy kids. I have been a portrait photographer for 18 years and taught Kindergarten for 11 of those years before leaving the profession to stay home with my kids. I love singing in this chorus, reading, watching old movies and hanging out with friends.
Fun fact: during my very first concert series, on the last performance, I passed out during the Carmina Burana ballet and had to be dragged out of the theatre box by Judith Evnen."
SARAH-CATE HORSEMAN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Kansas City, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I make and sell custom shirts/jerseys and teach a religion class for Sunday school to kindergartners.
REBEKAH JACKSON
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lee's Summit, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I kicked cancer in the keister, and singing in KCSC with my sister is my happy place.
TIFFANY KEEGAN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Shawnee, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I have 4 beautiful kids and run an in-home daycare.
CAITLIN KENNEY
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: North Kansas City, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Caitin is an avid performer, and is thrilled to join the chorus this season. She has recently graduated with a master’s degree from ECU. Outside of singing, Caiti loves snuggling her cat, crocheting, and reading.
NANCY LACY
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Waldo
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I’m a retired Latin teacher and happily fill my time now with grandchildren, travel, reading, baking bread and singing - of course!
KRISTY LAMBERT
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Prairie Village, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma, went to OSU on a voice scholarship, and got to KC after going to KU Law. I’ve served as the Soprano I section leader a few times in the past and had a stent on the final KCSC Board of Directors as we made the transition to KCS. I’m also a soccer supporter, serve on the Youth Chorus of Kansas City board, and (even though I’m not in any way accomplished) I have a lot of fun cooking, baking, and dancing!
CAROLYN MILLER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: North Kansas City, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT:
DORIANA NEALY
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Prior to college, I sang voice parts of alto 2 and tenor 1. When I attended college, I was placed in a voice part of soprano 1 and have been there ever since. That was quite a jump as you can imagine :).
NATALIE NERI
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Kansas City, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Chorus member since 2023. I first sang for Charles and Patrice in a children's chorus in my teens! I live a multigenerational home with my husband, daughter, mom and nephew with our two cats and two dog senior dogs. I love hiking, doing crafts, reading fantasy books and watching crime shows.
KIRSTEN OELKLAUS
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Shawnee, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: My career has been devoted to treating adolescents and adults with eating disorders in their path to healing. I have worked in all levels of care, recently providing individual in private practice for over 15 years. My passion in the field lead me to partner with 2 colleagues to found Bellatore eating disorder program, where I serve as Program director and therapist.
My journey began with a deep love for music, which led me to earn an undergraduate degree in music therapy. I started my career as a music therapist at the Menninger Clinic, where I witnessed the power of music in healing. This experience inspired me to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) and dedicate my career to helping individuals struggling with eating disorders.
In addition to my work as a therapist, music remains a vital part of my life. In the past, I’ve sung with the Topeka Festival Singers and the Kansas City Chorale and served as a cantor at my church. My passion for both therapy and music allows me to bring creativity, connection, and compassion into everything I do.
I have been married to my husband Dallas since 2002, and I have two boys- Atticus and Grayson, who always keep me on my toes!
https://bellatorerecovery.com/
https://www.kirstenoelklaus.com/
DANA O'REGAN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Overland Park, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: In the early 90s, I occasionally sub'd for my soprano roommate, who sang every Sunday morning at Rolling Hills Presbyterian in a quartet with a tenor named Charles.
Thrilled to be singing again in KCSC after taking a 12-year hiatus to raise my girls.
JANESE PENTICO
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Raymore, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I am a new member of Kansas City Symphony Chorus. I sang previously with Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and I’m glad to be back at it! I have two degrees in music: one in music education and the other in vocal performance. I love opera and reading. I am an extremely novice baker with a good work ethic and a lot of heart. I teach voice lessons a few times each week and spend most of my time raising my three sons!
SARIAH PINICK
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Independence, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT:
MARIA RANGEL-FLEMMER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: KC Westside
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Been in KC since 2012. Enjoy board games, video games, jigsaw puzzles, and crosswords.
BETHANY RUISINGER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Shawnee, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Chorus member since 2012, Worship Leader, live with my husband Ron, Event Coordinator for JESUS Film Harvest Partners, love to travel, bake, and experience new things.
EVELYN WOUTERS
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: South Plaza
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I love to cook and try out new recipes.