anthem singers

Michael Benson

Michael Benson is honored to sing for the Hershey Bears for an eighth season. He is a graduate of Milton Hershey School and Pennsylvania State University, earned his CPA, and is employed at the Pennsylvania Securities Commission as the Chief Accountant. Michael attends Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg and serves as a member of the Praise Team. In addition to singing, Michael and his family actively host foreign exchange students and enjoy teaching them about American life and history. He is a proud father of two sons and two daughters and three exchange daughters from Sweden, Germany, and Norway. Michael’s wife and family reside in Enola. The entire family hopes the Bears have another exciting season. GO BEARS!!!

John Bowling

John is honored to be back with the Bears for a second season. He is a graduate of East Pennsboro Area High School and Susquehanna University, and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He has been teaching music in Pennsylvania since 1983, and in the Millersburg Area School District since 1985. Since 1993, he's been the music teacher at Lenkerville Elementary School, where he also directs the chorus. In addition to singing the national anthem for the Bears, the Harrisburg Senators and the Baltimore Orioles, John has been very active over the last 15 years with the Susquehanna Township Baseball Association, both as a coach and board member. John resides in Harrisburg with his wife Hope, a freelance cellist and private teacher. Both of his sons are pursuing musical careers: Ian is a graduate student in vocal performance at Boston Conservatory and Andrew is studying voice and composition at Rowan University. Good luck Bears!

Lesa Brackbill

Lesa Brackbill is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. After living in California for twenty-five years, she decided to become a Pennsylvania resident in 2008, and proudly calls Harrisburg "home". Lesa has been passionate about music her entire life, and has spent a great deal of time refining and sharing her gift--which includes playing seven instruments--through singing at church, weddings, school choirs, and by giving music lessons. She became a regular national anthem soloist while in college and continues to sing this special song at several venues across Central Pennsylvania—including the Port Royal Speedway and the Susquehanna Speedway Park. Lesa is thrilled to be returning for her third season with the Bears!

Laura Delaney

Laura has a passion for singing and doesn’t usually turn down an opportunity to do so. She has been singing ever since she can remember, participating in school choir, church and wedding performances, local sporting events, Lehigh Valley’s May Fair and the Philadelphia 76ers. She also grew up in a family that loves hockey, so singing for the Hershey Bears is always exciting! Laura is a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Corporate Communication and now owns her own marketing firm, Delaney Marketing & Communications. Originally from the Lehigh Valley, she is a proud wife and mother who now resides in central Pennsylvania. Laura feels blessed to be able to share her God-given talent and to have the support and love of her family.

Krista Jakubik

Krista Jakubik was born and raised in Hummelstown and lived there most of her life. She attended Shipppensburg University and received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. After teaching in Norfolk City Schools, in Virginia, she moved back home to Hummelstown, to raise her family. Krista lives with her three children Andy, Katie and Joe, and her two dogs, Bubba and Booboo! Krista has been singing since she was 10 years old and has been now for 43 years. Her family has been such a great support system for her, as well as her "sweetheart" Nelson and for that she thanks them! She feels blessed to be able to share her voice and is glad to be given the chance to do so! This will be Krista's fifth season with the Bears and she's really looking forward to it! She's honored to be back!!! Let's go BEARS!!!!

Erin Kelly

Erin Kelly is 16 years old and a student at Parkland High School. She sings for numerous charities across the region and is a member of DreamKids--a group of children that raise over $14,000 each year for chronically and terminally ill children to be granted a wish through the Dream Come True Foundation. She opened up at Fallfest in Lancaster at age 10 for radio station WIOV. She has performed at the Capitol in Harrisburg, the Capitol Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., and for the Philadelphia Phillies and 76ers. She also performed at half-time at the season opener for the New York Knicks in 2007. This year is her 9th year singing for the Bears. She is honored to be singing for another Hershey Bears season...GO BEARS!!

Amy Lambert

Amy Lambert, who resides with her husband in Palmyra, has been singing with the Hershey Bears since the good ‘ol days back in the "barn.” Amy holds an associates degree in Theater from Harrisburg Area Community College and has been singing and acting since the age of 10. She has performed in churches, weddings, college productions, and community theater. In addition to singing, she has also been seen in commercials for Lowes, Hersheypark, Stauffers of Kissel Hill, and the movie "Girl Interrupted”. My love goes out to my parents, my brother (my favorite game companion besides my dad), my in-laws, and most of all my amazing husband, Leon. All of you have been such a wonderful support to me and I can't tell you how much I love you for that!! Have a great season Bears!!

Janelle Sowers

Janelle Sowers, originally from York, Pa., is thrilled to be back for another great season with the Bears!! Janelle has worked as a performer in upstate New York, numerous times in Pittsburgh, at Hersheypark and at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA for RWS and Associates, an entertainment company based out of NYC. You may have even seen her in a Dutch Wonderland commercial as one of Thomas the Tank Engine's Engineers! Janelle has been involved in many productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Escape from the Box, Anything Goes, and many more. Janelle feels extremely blessed to be able to pursue her dream, and is grateful for every opportunity that comes her way! GO BEARS