Area Residents Perform in St. Olaf Christmas Festival

Performers in the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival in Northfield, Minnesota, included the following local students.

Rachel Bartelt from Maple Grove is a member of the Manitou Singers. Bartelt is an undeclared major. She is the daughter of Joel and Kathryn Bartelt.

Paul Liesmaki from Maple Grove is a member of the Chapel Choir. Liesmaki is a mathematics and chemistry major. He is the son of Daniel and Kathy Liesmaki.

Ellan Krubsack from Maple Grove is a member of the St. Olaf Orchestra. Krubsack is a mathematics major. She is the daughter of Donald Krubsack and Teri Larson.

Ryan Nash from Plymouth is a member of the Cantorei. Nash is an economics major. He is the son of Steve and Sheri Nash.

Mary Haasl from Brooklyn Park is a member of the Manitou Singers. Haasl is an undeclared major. She is the daughter of Michael Haasl and Michele Micklewright.

Lauren Roelike from Brooklyn Park is a member of the Manitou Singers. Roelike is an undeclared major. She is the daughter of Robert and Lynette Roelike.

Gina Tonn from Brooklyn Park is a member of the Cantorei. Tonn is an economics and religion major. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Diane Tonn.

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is one of the oldest musical celebrations of Christmas in the United States. Started in 1912 by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf College Music Department, the festival features more than 500 student musicians who are members of five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra.

The festival, which is regularly broadcast nationwide on public television and radio, has been featured in hundreds of publications, including TV Guide, the Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Time

Information provided by St. Olaf College