Born on Christmas Day 1925, Bethany Beardslee would become a gift to the music world. Growing up in Lansing and East Lansing during the Roaring Twenties, Beardslee was drawn to the bright lights of New York City at an early age. Beardslee, who attended Lansing and East Lansing Schools before honing her singing skills at Michigan State College, said she “always sang what she wanted to sing.”

That approach led her to become one of the world’s leading sopranos. While in high school in East Lansing. Beardslee discovered her talent when she performed in “The Count and the Coed.” Her next stop was at the renowned Julliard School of Music and from there her career blossomed, becoming one of the most innovative sopranos in the world. she was recognized as an MSU Distinguished Alumni in 2018 and her acceptance speech was as flamboyant and inspirational as her amazing life. The family of Beardslee is originally from Le Havre France.