Abbie Burt Betinis (b.

1980)
Known primarily for her choral and solo vocal compositions.

Among the first of women to self-publish her music.

Carries on the tradition of writing yearly Christmas Card Carols. (Story below).

Composer in residence at The Schubert Club and an adjunct professor at Concordia University.

1980 - Born on January 21st in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

1984 - Began Suzuki piano and ear training.

Graduated valedictorian of her high school class.

Enrolled in St. Olaf College in Minnesota on a piano scholarship.

In her Sophomore year she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and had to undergo
chemotherapy.

She would go on to be a three time cancer survivor.

Returned to St. Olaf now pursuing music composition and linguistics.

Later received her M.A. in music composition from the University of Minnesota.
“Each year, my mom and I collaborate to produce the new Christmas card, which, like Bates and
Uncle Al, we send out to family and friends. She creates the design and does all the production,

which often includes hand-stamping, pasting, and glittering each card. ”

The Burt Family Carol Tradition

In 1922 Rev. Bates G. Burt began composing annual Christmas carols with original text
and music and sent them as Christmas cards to friends and family.

In 1942 Alfred Burt, a jazz trumpeter, took up his fathers tradition. Many of his carols
became famous all around the world.

In 2001 Abbie, the great-granddaughter of Bates Burt, took up the tradition and has since
made 17 (and counting) carols.