[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – The city of Lexington marks its 250th anniversary with a lively celebration of Irish culture this weekend. One of the most beloved community events in Lexington, Kentucky, the annual Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, will kick off the celebration on Saturday, March 15, followed by a concert by Irish festival headliner, Scythian, on Monday, March 17.

Produced by Lexington Parks & Recreation and sponsored by Alltech and the Bluegrass Irish Society, the Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is the city’s longest-running civic event. Alltech has sponsored the parade since the year it was first organized by the Bluegrass Irish Society, which was founded in 1980 to celebrate Irish culture and the country’s connections to Kentucky.

Festivities begin with the traditional “Blessing of the Keg” at 10:15 a.m. at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Plaza (formerly known as Fifth Third Pavilion). The festival — featuring live music, Irish dance performances, food vendors, artisans and more — will be open until 5 p.m., and will include performances by Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Celtic Blue, Draper Family Band, Kentucky United Pipes & Drums, Liam’s Fancy, McTeggart Irish Dancers, Saint Andrew’s Academy Boys Choir and William Sutherland Reid Pipes & Drums.

The parade will take over Main Street starting at 1 p.m. This year’s parade honors Father Norman Fischer as grand marshal, with members of his family and the St. Peter Claver parish marching in his memory.

The celebration culminates on Monday, March 17, with Scythian at Transylvania University. Scythian brings its signature high-energy fusion of Celtic, Eastern European and Appalachian sounds to Lexington for the first time since 2018. Expect a barn-dance-meets-rock-concert experience that has made them a favorite on the global Irish festival circuit. The show starts at 7 p.m.; tickets are $15 at transy.edu/tickets.

For more information about this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration, visit the official parade and festival website or the City of Lexington’s event page for updates. 

Partnership between Alltech and UK has enabled more than 200 students to pursue their musical ambitions; 20th annual event awards more than $700,000 in prizes and scholarships

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — For 20 years, a shared passion for music and education has united Alltech and the University of Kentucky in shaping the futures of hundreds of gifted vocalists by providing them an unparalleled opportunity to study at UK and perform with the esteemed UK Opera Theatre program.

The Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition marked its 20th anniversary on Sunday at the UK Singletary Center for the Arts with 18 finalists taking the stage to compete for more than $700,000 in prizes and scholarships. The competition — one of the largest of its kind in the world — attracts top vocal performers from around the world, helping them overcome financial barriers to pursuing their musical dreams and paving their way to a successful career. It has also played a pivotal role in the rise of the UK Opera Theatre program, now widely regarded as one of the best in the nation.

The milestone event began with a special presentation by Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, who declared March 2, 2025, as Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition Day in Lexington.

“More than 200 students have been able to pursue their ambitions in opera, having opportunities to travel the world, perform, teach and inspire others,” said Mayor Gorton. “It is an honor to be here to celebrate the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition’s 20th anniversary.”  

The proclamation recognized the competition as one of the legacies of Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons, whose love for music and commitment to helping people “do what makes their hearts sing” inspired him to create this unique program with his friend UK Opera Theatre Director Dr. Everett McCorvey. The mayor also acknowledged the ongoing support of Deirdre Lyons, Alltech cofounder and director of corporate image and design, and Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech president and CEO, who continue to champion the program.

Dr. McCorvey described the scholarship program as a “game-changer for us here at the university.”

“When Dr. Lyons first began talking about starting this competition, he said, ‘I want this to be the best competition in the world,’” Dr. McCorvey recalled. “So, I took a proposal to him, and he said, ‘OK, this is not big enough. Go back to your team and bring something bigger.’ So we did. We created a competition that is the best competition in the world for young singers.”  

“UK Opera Theatre is a visionary program that helps singers reach their full potential while bringing art and joy to the community,” said Dr. Mark Lyons. “On this 20th anniversary, we celebrate not only the incredible talent on display but also the spirit of camaraderie and community that defines this competition.”

Making dreams come true for 20 years

Judges selected multiple winners in undergraduate and graduate categories. In addition to cash prizes, winners received scholarships to attend UK, including some full-tuition awards. This year’s competition featured six undergraduate competitors and 12 graduate student competitors.

The winners of the 2025 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition were:

Undergraduate student winners

• Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship — CoryOn Brooks, Paducah, Kentucky. This prize includes a $10,000 cash prize and a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at UK.
• Bryant’s Rent-All and KPMG Second-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship — Destiny Cardell, Louisville, Kentucky. This prize includes a $9,000 cash award and a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at UK.
• Alltech Feed Division Third-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship ($8,000 cash prize) — Darian Wright, Louisville, Kentucky.
• Barbara Rouse Kentucky Prize ($5,000 cash prize) — Emory Hampton, Louisville, Kentucky.
• Maestro’s Legacy Encouragement Awards ($1,000 cash prizes) — Lucy Schapman, Edwardsville, Illinois, and Grayson Boehm, Louisville, Kentucky.

Graduate student winners

• Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Graduate Award and Graduate Assistantship — Christian Abbo, Las Vegas, Nevada. This prize includes a full graduate assistantship to pursue a master’s degree in music or a doctoral degree in musical arts at UK, a one-time stipend of $13,000 from Alltech, and a yearly graduate stipend with UK Opera Theatre.
• Alltech and Stand Energy Second-Place Graduate Award and Graduate Assistantship — Matthew Pearce, Lexington, Kentucky. This prize includes a full graduate assistantship to pursue a master’s degree in music or a doctoral degree in musical arts at UK, a one-time stipend of $12,000 from Alltech and Stand Energy, and a yearly graduate stipend with UK Opera Theatre.
• Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation Third-Place Graduate Award — Emily Wicker, Chaseburg, Wisconsin. This prize includes a one-time stipend of $11,000.
• Encore Excellence Graduate Award — Bizhou Chang, Liaoning, China. This prize includes a one-time stipend of $10,000.
• Gail Robinson Performance Graduate Award ($8,000 cash prize) — Lily Allen, Cleveland, Tennessee.
• Alltech Crop Science Graduate Encouragement Award ($5,000 cash prize) — Lillian Broderick, Northfield, Vermont.
• Maestro’s Legacy Encouragement Graduate Award ($2,000 cash prize) — Collin Stillday, Plymouth, Minnesota.
• Reginald Smith Jr. Opportunity Award ($1,000 cash prize) — Darien Roby, Alexandria, Virginia.

• Opera LEX Victoria Meyers Graduate Award ($1,000 cash prize) — Reagan Hinze, Lincoln, Nebraska.
• Maestro’s Legacy Encouragement Awards ($1,000 cash prize) — Samuel Phillips, Birmingham, Alabama; Andrea Trusty, Ezel, Kentucky; and Austin Morgano, Georgetown, Kentucky.

• American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) tuition stipend — Matthew Pearce, Christian Abbo, Lily Allen, Collin Stillday and Bizhou Chang. AIMS, located in Graz, Austria, is the leading summer music program in Europe, a one-of-a-kind experience designed to prepare students for careers as professional musicians.

Finalists were scored based on their voice, technical skill, interpretation and accuracy by five judges:

• Reginald Smith Jr., a 2007 winner of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning baritone who has been lauded as a passionate performer “whose voice is one of the best baritone sounds to come along in years” by Opera News. His career has included performances with some of the world’s leading opera companies and in concerts worldwide.
• Barbara Lynne Jamison, general director of the Kentucky Opera, who has led a groundbreaking, community-led approach to producing mainstage opera, increasing diversity both onstage and in the audience.
• Audrey Chalt, a director, writer and producer of opera and theatre who currently serves as the artistic programs and new works manager at Cincinnati Opera.
• Dr. Thomas King, a tenor who has sung more than 50 roles in opera, operetta and musicals over the course of his career. King has taught private voice at Austin Peay State University, DePauw University and Indiana University Jacobs School. He also taught at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, for 25 years and served as its artistic director for seven years before retiring in 2010.
• Julia Noulin-Mérat, an American, French and Canadian producer and designer with more than 25 years of experience who has served as the general director and CEO of Opera Columbus for the past five years.

Since its inception, the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition has awarded more than $12 million in UK scholarships and prizes. 

In addition to UK Opera Theatre productions, Alltech Vocal Scholars enrich the local community throughout the year with performances at the annual Alltech Celebration of Song, a free holiday concert at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, and the popular summer concert series “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.”

“Alltech has been a wonderful partner for us,” said Dr. McCorvey. “There’s a whole culture at Alltech of creating excellence and helping people to pursue their dreams.”

Learn more about the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and watch the livestream of this year’s competition at alltech.com/vocal.

CoryOn Brooks of Paducah, Kentucky, won the 2025 Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize and a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at UK.

Christian Abbo of Las Vegas, Nevada, won the 2025 Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Graduate Award and Graduate Assistantship, which includes a full graduate assistantship to pursue a master’s degree in music or a doctoral degree in musical arts at UK, a one-time stipend of $13,000 from Alltech, and a yearly graduate stipend with UK Opera Theatre.

Life-changing event annually awards more than $700,000 in prizes and scholarships to UK 

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] – Talented vocalists from across the United States and beyond will compete before a live audience Sunday, March 2, in the 20th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition at the UK Singletary Center for the Arts. This life-changing event annually awards more than $700,000 in prizes and provides scholarships for the renowned UK Opera Theatre program. The community is invited to enjoy an afternoon of music with complimentary admission. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the competition begins at 2 p.m.

This year’s competition is also part of the City of Lexington’s celebration of its 250th anniversary. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton will be in attendance on Sunday to issue a proclamation in honor of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Program’s 20th anniversary.

This prestigious event has grown to become one of the largest vocal scholarship competitions in the world. Founded in 2006 by the late Dr. Pearse Lyons, an enthusiastic advocate for the arts, the competition has awarded over $12 million in prizes and enabled more than 200 students to pursue their musical ambitions and receive an education in the arts.

Prestigious judges from the world of opera will select multiple winners in several categories, including undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students. In addition to cash prizes, some winners will receive scholarships for the UK Opera Theatre program, including full-tuition awards.

This year, one of the competition’s most celebrated winners, acclaimed opera singer Reginald (Reggie) Smith Jr., will serve as one of the judges.

Smith took one of the top prizes in the competition in 2007, when he traveled nine hours from Atlanta to Lexington on a Greyhound bus and arrived just in time to take the stage.

Dr. Everett McCorvey, UK Opera Theatre director, said Smith was a stellar student who took advantage of every opportunity to learn and develop his skills.

“He was a leader among the students during his undergraduate years and he was well respected by his peers and in the community,” McCorvey said.

Since his time at UK, Smith has enjoyed a flourishing singing career, performing on prestigious stages worldwide. Among his many accomplishments, he participated in the young artist program at Houston Grand Opera, won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2015 and sang on the Grammy Award-winning recording of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2019-20 production of “Porgy and Bess.”

Smith credits the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, which he says provided him with the financial freedom to pursue his education without debt, allowing him to focus on both vocal performance and music education.

“The most important door that the competition opened for me was the ability to go to school and get an education and not have to worry about tuition costs,” Smith said, adding that traveling with Dr. Lyons to perform around the world was also an important educational experience.

“Being able to see the world through the numerous trips with Dr. Lyons and through all the generosity of Alltech really helped to change my perspective on the world,” he said.  “It helped make me a better global citizen.”

In addition to serving as a judge, Smith also sponsors the Reginald Smith Jr. Prize, which supports students whose lives will be as dramatically changed by the program as his was.

See tomorrow’s opera stars in the making

By removing financial barriers to pursuing a musical education, the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition has helped talented vocalists realize their dreams and launch successful careers. The competition has also played a pivotal role in the rise of UK’s opera program, which is now widely regarded as one of the best in the nation.

“It is because of our partnership with Alltech that we are able to attract and invite the top students in the country and from across the world to join us in the heart of Central Kentucky,” Dr. McCorvey said. “The generosity of Dr. Mark Lyons, Deirdre Lyons and all those who support the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition enables us to create competitive scholarship offers for students, allowing us to compete with major conservatories and encouraging these talented students to continue their education in vocal music here with us.”

In addition to UK Opera Theatre productions, Alltech Vocal Scholars enrich the local community throughout the year with performances at the annual Alltech Celebration of Song, a free holiday concert at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, and the popular summer concert series “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.”

Join us this Sunday at the UK Singletary Center for an unforgettable celebration of music, opportunity and two decades of commitment to advancing the arts.

Learn more about the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and watch last year’s competition at alltech.com/vocal. Learn more about the UK Opera Theatre program at finearts.uky.edu/opera.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] – Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with two public performances of this year’s Alltech Celebration of Song on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Amid a stunning display of Christmas decor, Alltech’s 19th annual holiday concert for the Lexington community will feature traditional carols and popular Christmas music performed by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, the Uniting Voices Lexington youth choir and other special guest singers.

More than 80 singers will perform in the two concerts, accompanied by a professional orchestra, and audience members will be invited to sing along during classic Christmas favorites. Admission and parking are complimentary, and the event is open to all.

Celebration of Song has been Alltech’s annual holiday gift to the community since 2006. Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons was inspired to spread the joy of the season through music after attending a community Christmas festival while traveling in Brazil.

“We’re excited to celebrate the holidays with our community and with UK Opera Theatre, with whom we partner on several events, including our Vocal Scholarship Competition, which has enabled more than 200 UK students to pursue their musical dreams while receiving an education in the arts,” said Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

“Christmas is about bringing families and communities together to celebrate the love and joy of the season,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, director of UK Opera Theatre. “This is our gift to you.”

Visit alltech.com/alltech-celebration-song-2024 to learn more.

Celebration of Song brings people from all walks of life together through the magic of holiday music. This year, it is also encouraging them to make a difference for those who have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. Donations for Hurricane Helene relief are being accepted via the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, which supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family. Learn more at pearselyonsace.org. 

Central Kentucky agency operates emergency shelter and supports survivors of intimate partner abuse  

LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Alltech presented a $100,000 donation this week to GreenHouse17, an advocacy agency and emergency shelter in Central Kentucky committed to ending intimate partner abuse. 

The donation — which comes during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, commemorated every year in October — was made possible thanks to the success of Alltech’s third annual Make a Difference Golf Scramble and matching funds from the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family.  

“GreenHouse17 nurtures and transforms lives,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “It is a great privilege to support GreenHouse 17’s mission to provide a safe community where survivors of abuse can heal and grow stronger.” 

For nearly two decades, GreenHouse17 has provided crisis intervention and stabilization services for those affected by intimate partner abuse in 17 Kentucky counties. It serves approximately 6,000 survivors and their children every year, including 250 survivors and their children who stay at GreenHouse17’s 17,000-square-foot emergency shelter, which is located on its 40-acre campus in rural Fayette County. Part of this land serves as a therapeutic farm, where residents grow produce and flowers, reconnecting with nature as a vital part of their healing process. Working on the farm allows survivors to develop new skills that will empower them as they rebuild their lives. 

Through these efforts, a vibrant social enterprise has been established in which survivors help grow flowers that are sold in the community and create handcrafted items — including “Handmade by Survivors” soaps, bath salts, candles and lip balms — that are sold online and at community events, pop-up shops and festivals. 

GreenHouse17 not only empowers survivors but plays a vital role in raising awareness about intimate partner abuse, which affects people from all walks of life, including men. GreenHouse17 offers an avenue for survivors to seek help without shame and serves as a reminder “that they are much more than what has happened to them,” said Darlene Thomas, executive director. 

“Intimate partner abuse is a community issue,” Thomas said. “We help survivors of domestic violence move from crisis to self-sufficiency, but we can’t do it alone. It must be a community effort.”  

Alltech and the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation are longtime supporters of GreenHouse17 and its mission to support survivors of intimate partner violence.  

“GreenHouse17 provides a sanctuary for recovery and renewal, empowering thousands of survivors annually through legal advocacy, affordable housing resources, safe visitation for children and countless other essential services,” said Deirdre Lyons, Alltech’s co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction. 

Alltech has supported GreenHouse17 for six years, and this is the second year in a row that Alltech has presented a donation of $100,000 to the organization.  

“Alltech has been a tremendous supporter of our program and its growth,” Thomas said. “The biggest message you send when you support GreenHouse17 is that everybody we serve has value and worth, and that’s a message that has not been given to them in their daily lives. Alltech really walks what it talks, and I am so grateful to the Lyons family and everyone at Alltech who made this happen. Our survivors are blessed by our continued partnership.” 

This year, GreenHouse17 hired its first program participant to support its flower social enterprise. Ultimately, Thomas said, the goal is for GreenHouse17’s social enterprises to be led by survivors who have participated in its program.  

GreenHouse17 is community-driven and -supported, relying on volunteers, grants and donations to fund its activities. To find out how to support the organization’s mission, visit greenhouse17.org. You can also watch this video to learn more about the program. 

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] — Celebrate Irish culture with festive music, dancing, food and fun this Saturday at the Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in downtown Lexington.

“We’re beyond thrilled to welcome the community to share St. Patrick’s weekend with us,” said Megan Moloney, president of the Bluegrass Irish Society and parade chair. “We’re ready to turn the bluegrass green.”

The begins at 8:30 a.m. with the Lexington Habitat for Humanity’s 18th Annual Shamrock Shuffle 3K, returning this year to downtown Lexington. Proceeds from the race help local families who need affordable housing. Click here to learn more and register for the race.

At 10:45 a.m. at the Henry A. Tandy Centennial Plaza (formerly the Fifth Third Pavilion), Father Norman Fischer will perform the traditional “blessing of the keg” of beer from Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

An exciting lineup of performers will take the stage from 11:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including:

• Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Lexington’s community Irish dance academy, showcasing the power and grace of traditional footwork.
• Liam’s Fancy, a talented local group that blends traditional Irish tunes with contemporary flair, creating a unique and unforgettable sound.
• William Sutherland Reid Pipes and Drums, which will deliver a powerful performance with the stirring sounds of bagpipes and drums.
• McTeggart Irish Dancers, an energetic dance troupe that showcases the beauty and athleticism of Irish dance. Their energetic performances are a St. Patrick’s Day tradition.
• Kentucky United Pipes and Drums, a band that honors the Celtic arts and traditions through public performances and by teaching Highland bag piping and Scottish-style pipe band drumming.
• Celtic Blue, world-class musicians who bring the energy of Irish pub music to the stage with a repertoire of classic and contemporary tunes.
• Draper Family Band, whose blend of traditional Irish music and bluegrass influences creates a unique and memorable experience.

The parade begins at 1 p.m. and goes down Main Street from Midland Avenue to Mill Street. This year’s grand marshal is Sandra Reid, pipe major of the William Sutherland Reid Pipes and Drums, which has led the parade every year since it was founded in 1980.

The Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is Lexington’s longest-running civic event. Sponsored by Alltech and the Bluegrass Irish Society, the parade and festival are produced by the Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation with community support from local businesses and cultural organizations. Alltech has sponsored the parade since its inception.

“The Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade is a lovely celebration of Irish culture,” said Deirdre Lyons, Alltech cofounder and director of corporate image and design.

The Bluegrass Irish Society formed in 1980 to celebrate and maintain interest in Irish culture. One of its first events was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade gained instant credibility when then Gov. John Y. Brown and first lady Phyllis George Brown cosponsored it and arranged to have Ed McMahon from the Johnny Carson Show to serve as the first grand marshal.

The group aims to connect Irish and Kentucky culture and provide a focal point in the region for those interested in Ireland and its traditions.

“Listen to the fiddlers in Eastern Kentucky or the clog dancers and you will hear the refrains of Irish jigs and reels,” the Bluegrass Irish Society says on its website. “Kentuckians have long shared, among other things, their love for horses, music and bourbon whiskey-making with the Irish.”

More than $12 million has been awarded since the program began in 2006

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – The University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts was alive with music and hope Sunday as 14 talented vocalists competed in the finals of the 19th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The event awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships and prizes and the opportunity to attend the University of Kentucky as part of the UK Opera Theatre program.

Judges selected multiple winners in undergraduate and graduate categories. In addition to cash prizes, winners received scholarships to attend UK, including some full-tuition awards.

The winners of the 2024 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition are:

Undergraduate student winners

• Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship — Ella Clark, Lexington, Ky. This prize includes a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at UK.
• Bryant’s Rent-All and KLPMG Second-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship — Evan Stuart, Fort Thomas, Ky. This prize includes a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music at UK.
• Alltech Feed Division Third-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship — Amiah Coriano, Louisville, Ky.
• Alltech Crop Science Undergraduate Encouragement Award — Hayden Longbottom, Cincinnati.
• Barbara Rouse Kentucky Prize — William Darragh, Lexington, Ky.

Graduate student winners

• Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Graduate Award and Graduate Assistantship — Dylon Crain, Louisville, Ky. This prize includes a full graduate assistantship to pursue a master’s degree in music or a doctoral degree in musical arts at UK and a yearly graduate stipend with UK Opera Theatre.

• Alltech and Stand Energy Second-Place Graduate Award — Tie: Mariah Graves, Humble, Texas; and Yoo Jin Lee, Seoul, Korea.
• Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation Third-Place Graduate Award — Nidia Guevara-Nolasco, Angleton, Texas.
• Encore Excellence Graduate Award — Brandon Whitish, Fennimore, Wisconsin.
• Gail Robinson Performance Graduate Award — Kyle McCurley, Toccoa, Georgia.
• Reginald Smith Jr. Encouragement Award — Mariah Graves, Humble, Texas.
• Opera LEX Victoria Meyers Graduate Award — Judd Blake, Hopewell, Virginia.
• American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) tuition stipend — Brandon Whitish, Fennimore, Wisconsin; Mariah Graves, Yoo Jin Lee and Judd Blake. AIMS, located in Graz, Austria, is the leading summer music program in Europe, a one-of-a-kind experience designed to prepare students for careers as professional musicians.

Finalists were scored based on their voice, technical skill, interpretation and accuracy by five judges:

• David Craig Starkey, general director of the Indianapolis Opera, Indiana’s oldest professional opera company. He is also CEO of the Basile Opera Center. He has a diverse career spanning all aspects of opera, operetta and musical theatre.
• Darryl Taylor, founder of the African American Art Song Alliance. He was recently inducted to the American Academy of Teachers of Singing and served as a master teacher for the NATS Intern Program in 2022.
• Dr. Thomas King, a tenor who has sung more than 50 roles in opera, operetta and musicals over the course of his career. King has taught private voice at Austin Peay State University, DePauw University and Indiana University Jacobs School. He also taught at the American Institute of Musical studies in Graz, Austria, for 25 years and served as its artistic director for seven years before retiring in 2010.
• Barbara Lynne Jamison, general director of the Kentucky Opera. In her role, she has introduced a groundbreaking, community-led approach to producing mainstage opera that has resulted in increased diversity both onstage and in the audience.
• Andrew Crooks, head of the music staff at Cincinnati Opera. He also serves as a visiting assistant professor and opera coach at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and as a visiting coach for the Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS).

The Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world, has enabled nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate students to pursue an education in the arts and advance their vocal expertise with some of the leading scholars and artists in the opera world. The competition has awarded more than $12 million in UK scholarships and prizes since it began in 2006. 

“Our family has long believed in the power of the arts to foster creativity, ignite imagination and promote healing,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “This one-of-a-kind competition, and the talented singers who participate in it, are excellent reminders that there are always reasons to sing and to dream.”

In addition to performing at UK, the Alltech Vocal Scholars infuse art into our community throughout the year with performances such as “A Grand Night for Singing” and the annual Alltech Celebration of Song, a free holiday concert at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Learn more about the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and watch the livestream of this year’s competition at alltech.com/vocal.

Ella Clark of Lexington, Ky., won the Pearse and Deirdre Lyons First-Place Undergraduate Award and Scholarship on Sunday, March 3 at 19th annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. Shown with her are Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, co-founder of Alltech.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Alltech presented a $100,000 check on Thursday to GreenHouse17, an advocacy agency and emergency shelter in Central Kentucky committed to ending intimate partner abuse.

The donation was made possible by the success of Alltech’s second annual Make a Difference Golf Scramble and matching funds from the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family.

Alltech and the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation are longtime supporters of GreenHouse17 and its mission to support survivors of intimate partner violence.

“A contribution to GreenHouse17 creates a home for healing and regeneration, as well as the ability to serve thousands of survivors each year through legal advocacy, affordable housing assistance, children’s safe exchange and visitation, and countless other services,” said Deirdre Lyons, Alltech’s co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

For nearly 20 years, GreenHouse17 has offered crisis intervention and stabilization services for those harmed by intimate partner abuse in 17 Kentucky counties. Situated on 40 acres in rural Fayette County, GreenHouse17 provides shelter for about 6,000 people every year. Of these 40 acres, a portion of the land serves as a therapeutic farm, where residents grow produce and flowers — and connect with nature as part of their healing process. Opportunities to help on the farm allow survivors to develop new skills that will assist them in rebuilding their lives.

Through these efforts, a thriving social enterprise has been established in which survivors help grow flowers that are sold in the community and create handcrafted items like soaps, bath salts, candles and lip balms. They sell them online and at pop-up shops and festivals.

GreenHouse17 not only empowers survivors but plays an important role in raising awareness about intimate partner abuse, which affects people from all walks of life. It provides an avenue for survivors to seek help without shame and reminds them “that they are much more than what has happened to them,” said Darlene Thomas, executive director of GreenHouse17.

“We help survivors of domestic violence move from crisis to self-sufficiency, but we can’t do it alone. It must be a community effort,” Thomas said. “Alltech has been tremendous in its support of our program and its growth. We’ve never received a donation close to this amount in nearly 20 years. We are blessed that Alltech is willing to invest in helping vulnerable people.”

“GreenHouse17 saves and transforms lives,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We are honored to be able to support Darlene and her team in their mission to provide a safe community for abuse survivors to grow strong in body and in mind.  Our partnership goes beyond the funds we can donate but extends to exchanging ideas around future fundraising opportunities and business outlets that help to further their mission, which we profoundly believe in.”

Watch this video to learn more about GreenHouse17.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] – ‘Tis the season for holiday cheer at the Kentucky Horse Park, where two festive traditions offer up the brightest sights and sounds of the season.

Set against a backdrop of beautiful Christmas décor, Alltech’s 18th annual Celebration of Song features performances of popular Christmas music and traditional carols by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The free concert is set for Dec. 10 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. Doors open at 3 p.m.; parking is free.

Nearly 40 singers will perform at the event, accompanied by a professional orchestra, and audience members will be invited to sing along during classic Christmas favorites.

Celebration of Song has been Alltech’s annual holiday gift to the community since 2006. Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons was inspired to share the holiday spirit through song after experiencing a community Christmas festival while traveling in Brazil, said his wife, Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

“Every year, Celebration of Song gets more wonderful. It’s a beautiful event that we’ve been proud to sponsor for our community,” Deirdre Lyons said. “We’re excited to celebrate the holidays with our community and with UK Opera Theatre, with whom we partner on several events, including our Vocal Scholarship Competition. This collaboration has enabled more than 190 UK students to pursue their musical ambitions and receive an education in the arts.”

“Christmas is about bringing families together, bringing communities together and celebrating the love and joy of the season,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, UK Opera Theatre Director. “This is our gift to you.”

Attendees can close out the evening with a drive through the Southern Lights Holiday Festival, a dazzling three-mile display of over a million twinkling lights. This Christmas tradition is celebrating its 30th year at the Kentucky Horse Park. It operates nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31 — excluding Christmas Day.

Tickets for Southern Lights can be purchased online or at the campground. Learn more about Southern Lights at SouthernLightsKY.com.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — This year, as the month of November and the Thanksgiving holiday approached, Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, and his team decided to do something different to show their gratitude.

Inspired by the No-Shave November movement, they created the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge, which invites participants to grow a beard or mustache during the month of November to raise funds for six cancer and mental health charities from around the world. Mark was first to sign up. He has been joined by several Alltech team members from around the world who have put down the shaving cream and asked their friends and family to donate.

But the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge is not just about growing a beard, and it is open to anyone who wants to participate. The initiative invites everyone to take on their own 30-day challenge. Participants have committed to running 100 miles, reading 10 books, practicing a foreign language and tracking their spending to increase their savings. One Alltech team member in Portugal committed to cutting her hair at the end of the challenge and donating it to the Little Princess Trust, a nonprofit in the U.K. that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. It is one of the charities being supported by the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge.

Another team member, herself a brain cancer survivor, shared her cancer journey and committed to raising funds by performing acts of kindness for 30 days. So far, she’s raised $650.

By mid-November, the challenge had met its original fundraising goal of $10,000, so they increased it to $15,000. It’s something his father, Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons, would have done, Mark said.

“When you get close to the goal, you move the posts,” he said. “There is never a destination when it comes to the impact we can make. It has been fantastic to see the engagement of the global team around this initiative. Awareness is the true positive outcome we are achieving here.”

In just over a week, they surpassed the $15,000 goal and increased the goal again — to $20,000.

Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, has been growing a beard as part of the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge, which invites participants to grow a beard or mustache during the month of November — or take on a 30-day challenge of their choosing — to raise funds for cancer and mental health charities around the world. He is shown here speaking Monday, Nov. 27 at Alltech ONE Dubai, the final stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour in 2023.

The funds raised will be donated through the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family, which are often focused on agriculture, education and supporting communities in need. The foundation has supported numerous large-scale projects, including three primary schools in Haiti that ensure the education of more than 1,200 children, and the construction of over a dozen state-of-the-art science laboratories at primary schools in Kentucky and Ireland.

The Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation also supports the Alltech-University of Kentucky Vocal Scholarship Competition, one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world; GreenHouse17, a Kentucky organization that provides resources to survivors of partner abuse; on-the-ground disaster relief in communities around the world; and programs that address the urgent needs of farmers and their communities amid natural disasters.

Donations to the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation are matched, which means every dollar donated can make an even greater impact.

In addition to the Little Princess Trust, the Lyons Mane Charitable Challenge will benefit:

• Pieta (Ireland), a mental health/self-harm/suicide awareness and support organization
• National Breast Cancer Foundation (U.S.), which provides early detection, education and support services to those affected by breast cancer
• Do More Agriculture Foundation (Canada), an organization that champions the mental well-being of those in the Canadian agriculture industry
• Prostate Cancer Foundation (U.S.), the leading organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research
• Cactus Instituto (Brazil), a nonprofit philanthropic and human rights entity that works to expand care in disease prevention and mental health promotion in Brazil.

“These global health challenges affect millions of us around the world, and I personally felt the impact of both more this past year than any other,” Mark said. “We have invited everyone to commit to a challenge of their choice, and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and response of our friends, family and communities.”

Even though November is drawing to a close, it is not too late to join the challenge — or cheer on its participants by donating through their individual challenge page. And Tuesday, Nov. 28 is a perfect day to donate: It’s Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement that encourages people to support and contribute to charitable causes. It takes place each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Visit the Lyons Mane website to learn more and make a donation.