The following Handbell Musicians of America members have indicated that they are available to serve as clinicians at handbell or handchime events. The information below was submitted by the handbell clinicians themselves and is listed in alphabetical order by the clinician’s last name.
Please note that The Guild does not endorse or recommend any specific handbell clinicians, and this list is provided only for your reference in contacting potential clinicians for your event.
If you would like to add your information to the above list, please see the requirements below.
| Christine Allison(113067)Canton, OH | 330-705-6436cdanotes@gmail.com | Directed bell choirs for 20+ years and works with beginning adult bell choirs in Northeast Ohio area churches (to help them improve their skills) as well as being a clinician for FUMMWA local and juridictional events and has directed mass rings. Staff member at Mount Union College for handbells. |
| Christine D. Anderson(100566)Frazier Park, CA | 661-245-1899vbronze@pacbell.net | Qualified to conduct workshops for just about any handbell subject, including handbell maintenance, solo, ensemble, treble/multiple bell techniques. Christine has been conducting massed ring festivals and conferences for over 27 years. |
| Mark Andersen(119927)Kenmore, WA | 425-485-6743internationalartists@mac.com | Mark Andersen began playing handbells in 1956 in North Carolina and has been associated with the art of English handbell ringing continually since that time. He has started over 12 church and community handbell choirs including “Scintillation” recording choir in New York City. Scintillation recorded several times for television commercials over NBC in New York. Mark has served as a clinician for Schulmerich in upstate New York and New York City and is an avid composer and arranger for solo handbells.Mark currently serves as the handbell instructor for several handbell soloists as well as the trainer for Emerald City Ringers, a 25 member double community handbell choir located in Seattle, WA. |
| Greig Ashurst(112484)Lafayette, LA | 337-534-0170greigashurst@gmail.com | M.M. in Instrumental Conducting from the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU. Instrumental Music Educator for more than 12 years. Church musician and handbell conductor for over 15 years. Greig Ashurst is a dynamic, vibrant conductor, clinician, and percussionist. Conducted, taught, and performed at innumerable music festivals and events. |
| Bill Alexander(118233)Hermantown, MN | 218-729-8434bill@strikepoint.com | Bill Alexander has served as director of handbells at First United Methodist Church in Duluth for 29 years, directing five choirs, including the touring ensemble Strikepoint. Bill is also a former officer of The Guild and an internationally known handbell clinician and conductor with a reputation for musicality and fun. |
| John Behnke(104015)Belgium, WI | 262-285-3027John.Behnke@cuw.edu | John Behnke is the director of the Alleluia Ringers at Concordia University Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Area Handbell Ensemble. He has also directed area festivals and bell clinics throughout the USA and is very involved in composition as Music Editor for The Guild and as a composer of handbell, organ, and choral music. |
| Wishart Bell(101816)South Bend, IN | 574-229-2247wbell@wishartmusicservices.com | Active as a clinician and adjudicator, conducting festivals and workshops in the U.S. and Canada; Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church and conducts the Laudate Ringers; Master of Music in piano, Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting, with emphasis in both choral and orchestral conducting. |
| Ron Bellamy(111575)Lancaster, PA | 717-615-0944RingingRon@comcast.net |
Specializing in solo/ensemble ringing, Ron has also taught classes in many full-choir topics. He rings in the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, and has been a clinician for The Guild, Solo/Ensemble Extravaganza, and Handbell Exploration. He presently directs 7 handbell choirs, and has been a massed ring conductor for the Ephrata Area, Somerset, and Nittany Valley Handbell Festivals. |
| Douglas J. Benton(120059)Gold Canyon, AZ(Phoenix area) | 480-288-9722Bellmaster@mchsi.com | Doug Benton has achieved a national reputation for excellence as Clinician and Massed Conductor. He began working with handbells in 1973 and brings great energy and a wealth of experience in all facets of music to the podium and classroom. His primary stated goal is to “have fun–creating music!” |
| Susan Berry(101660)Detroit, MI | (office) 313-278-7387 (cell) 313-580-4486susan@handbellservices.com | Author and arranger Susan Berry is an authority on proper ringing – credits include Healthy Ringing®, the Learning to Ring curriculum (coauthor), and Bell Basics. She is an internationally-known clinician who teaches and motivates from the podium. She owns Handbell Services, Inc. and is director of the Detroit Handbell Ensemble. |
| Nancy Cappel(101513)Annandale, VA | 703-978-3500 x32ncappel@stmatthewsumc.org | Nancy has a BS/MA in Music, taught elem./middle school music/handbells 20 years. Director of Music at St. Matthew’s for 36 years/9 bell choirs. Yearly tours (27) with youth choirs. Teaches workshops & directs festivals locally and nationally for Handbell Musicians of America & denominational music conferences. Writes handbell curriculum/beginning children. |
| Susan Carscadden-Mifsud(120538)Ingersoll, Ontario Canada | 519-485-3414susan@handbellgraces.com | One of Canada’s most accomplished handbell soloists, a noted conductor and educator. Canadian conductor at International Symposium 2008 and soloist at Pinnacle 2010. Susan is able to create a relaxed atmosphere while sharing her expertise and encouraging ringers of all ages and abilities, whether in a massed setting, small group or private lesson. |
| Keith Chandler(123383)Atlanta, GA | 404-402-0183kchandler@gabaptist.org | Keith serves as a consultant with the Georgia Baptist Convention in the area of Handbells. He ahs conducted festivals and clinics in Georgia and surrounding states. He holds an MCM from Southwester Baptist Theological Seminar and Bachelors of Church Music from Shorter College in Rome, GA. He would love to help you with your event. |
| Brian Childers(113393)Mount Holly, NC | 704-827-0796coplandsp@carolina.rr.com | Extensive experience conducting handbell and handchime choirs from children to senior adults. Currently conducts ten handbell, choral, and instrumental ensembles. Mr. Childers is an accomplished conductor, pianist, and composer. He has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance and church music from Appalachian State University and Gardner Webb University. |
| Anne Cotter(122650)Sedona, AZ | (928) 282-4103anne@npgcable.com | Anne has been ringing bells for over 15 years. She is part of a professional handbell duet, “Go Bellistic!”, which represents the excitement and fun that the duet brings to ringing. Ensemble, Beginning Ringing and Stage Presence are our expertise in teaching. We also perform as part of our contract. |
| Harriet K. Dawson(130402)North Port, FL | (612) 718-05862inflorida@comcast.net | |
| Andrew Duncan(121273)Knoxville, TN | (865) 804-4721editor@ring-press.com | Andrew Duncon serves the Area VI Board as Membership Chair and has taught classes for Area 6 events in Chattnooga, Birmingham, and Huntsville. He received his masters degrees in Choral Conducting and Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and has studied with conductors such as William Payn, Dale Warland, and Charles Bruffy. Andrew is an active pianist and handbell ringer as wellas the found of Ring-Press, a website that offers downloadable handbell music. |
| Kathie Fink(104529)Burlington, KY | 925-628-1089kfinkhein@juno.com | |
| Daniel F. Francabandiero(105092)Jacksonville, FL | 904-389-0641dfrancabandiero@clearwire.net | |
| Martha Goodman(109122)Blackstone, MA(Providence, RI/Worcester, MA areas) | 508-928-2078mgtrek@earthlink.net | Experienced conductor, clinician, consultant, and event organizer. Holds AGEHR Director Certification (Level 1) and was named a Master Teacher for Area I Festival/Conference 2009. Former member (for 10 years) and past president of New England Ringers. Develops and presents unique content as well as basic techniques and other core subjects; sessions tailored to skills and experience of participants. Offers consulting to churches and community groups on organizational development and administration. Mentoring of directors and ensembles also available. Will travel. References on request. |
| Jason Harwood(129835)Rockwell, NC | 704-640-2202jasonaharwood@gmail.com | An enthusiastic ringer and director, Jason has been involved with bells for 15 years. Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Appalachian State University. Currently the Music Director for Mt. Zion UCC in China Grove, NC. Active in handbell events throughout the region. Clinician for upcoming Jeffers Handbell Development Seminars. |
| Michael Helman(118931)Cape Coral, FL | 239-738-6072 (cell)239-542-2858 (church)michael@faithcapecoral.orgmhelman56@gmail.comPersonal website: michaelhelman.net | Michael Helman is nationally known as a composer of handbell, organ, and choral music and is in demand as a handbell festival conductor/clinician. For a listing of his accomplishments, compositions, and a short biography, please check out his website, michaelhelman.net. Michael is currently Director of Music/Organist at Faith Presbyterian in Cape Coral, Florida where he directs a graded handbell program, a 60 voice choir and a concert series |
| Ellie Hodder(118820)Portland, OR | 503-292-6929503-730-9311 (cell)nwwalk@spiritone.cominfo@pacificringers.orghttp://www.pacificringers.org
|
|
| Nancy Jessup(101657)Costa Mesa, CA | 714-545-3213nanjessup@aol.com | Nancy has completed Advanced Conducting classes with William Payn through Handbell Exploration School of Music and AGEHR Master Class. She teaches handbells at Concordia University, Irvine and has taught at numerous events throughout the country. Recent 2004 conducting of mass events include Winnipeg, Canada (April) and Vista, California (June). |
| Michael Kastner(119149)Broomfield, CO | 303-404-3035MichaelEKastner@comcast.net
www.STEProject.com/MichaelKastner.html |
Michael has directed many church choirs and has been Artistic Director for three auditioned community handbell ensembles in the Denver, Colorado area. He has directed handbells for more than 30 years and leads festivals and workshops nation-wide and internationally. Michael is also a creative solo ringer and co-founder of STEP. |
| Donna L. Kinsey(104021)Morgantown, WV | 304-296-9710dlkmusic@adelphia.net | Donna has been instrumental in developing handbell ringing in both school and church settings for over 30 years. She has a national reputation as a clinician/director for young ringers as well as massed ringing events. She is past member of the Area 5 Board. |
| Jason Krug(122522)Indianapolis, IN | 317-748-1763jason@jasonwkrug.com | Jason is a published handbell composer and arranger with almost a decade of ringing experience. He has conducted orchestras, choirs, and handbell ensembles for many years, and is currently Director of Music Ministries and organist at Irvington United Methodist Church. |
| Phillip W. Lanier(130342)Stafford, VA | 540-850-3700frack@frickandfrackmusic.com
www.staffordregionalhandbellsociety.org
|
Composer and Arranger, Phillip has 25 years experience as a music educator, a Master’s Degree in Conducting, and is the musical director of the Stafford Regional Handbell Society’s 9 ringing ensembles. He is particularly gifted in working with children and student ringers. |
| Blanche Marie Lewis(100657) Winter Park, FL | 407-435-1490blanchemarie@cfl.rr.com | Blanche Marie Lewis is a Certified Handbell Director; has worked with various church choirs (all ages); is director of Magic of Bronze, an auditioned community handbell ensemble serving Central Florida; and has served as a handbell clinician/workshop leader in area events. Blanche Marie also directs the handbell choirs at Ascension Lutheran Church in Casselberry. |
| Elizabeth Lucas (122261)Cleveland, OH | 216-321-2528rivervalleyringers@sbcglobal.net | An advanced ringer, handbell clinician, conductor for 35+ years. Degree in Sacred Music. Currently serves as Organist-Choirmaster/Director of renowned Handbell Choir, Bethlehem Lutheran, Cleveland Heights. Founder/Artistic Director The River Valley Ringers, bronze-level auditioned community handbell choir, now in its fourth successful season. |
| Venita MacGorman(100864) Norman, OK | 405-321-6483 (home)405-321-3484, ext. 119 (church)venitmacgorman@cox.net | Venita has taught at every Area 9 Festival/Conference from 1988-2002 and directed several young Ringers Festivals. Her areas of expertise are teaching music literacy, teaching the beginning handbell choir, bells/handchimes and other instruments. She is the author of AGEHR’s publication “The Director as Teacher: Working With the Beginning Handbell Choir”. |
| Kevin McChesney(104809) Colorado Spring, CO | 719-265-9691bellcomposer@hotmail.com | Full-time composer/clinician. Over 800 titles in print. Director Pikes Peak Ringers. Experience teaching beginner/advanced, youth/adults, individual choirs/massed ringing. Classes in musicianship, visual presentation, technique, writing, and much more. Available for workshops, festivals, or for tailer-made sessions with individual choirs. |
| Paul A. McKlveen (109134) De Pere, WI | 920-339-8994pmcklveen@new.rr.com | Please check the biography section of Paul’s web site for more information about him, and feel free to call (or write) for more details. |
| Barbara Meinke (108630)Lake Elsinore, CA | 951-674-7557 | Barbara has 30 years of handbell experience, including conducting massed ringing and teaching festival classes. She holds a BA in Music from CSU Fullerton and has performed with Sonos Handbell Ensemble, Timbré Ensemble, and Distinctly Bronze. She brings enthusiasm, energy, high expectations, and superb musicianship to the classroom and podium. |
| Joyce Miller(105765)Omaha, NE | 402-333-0715jmiller@tconl.com | Joyce is currently directing nine handbell choirs in Omaha and Fremont, NE. She is the past Area 8 Chair. She was the Chair of the Hartford, Conn. Director’s Seminar. At past conferences, she has done several reading sessions covering different levels of music. |
| Cathy Moklebust(100084)Eagle Grove, IA | 515-851-0296cmokle@yahoo.com | As one of today’s most popular handbell composers, Cathy Moklebust has developed and directed handbell music programs since 1983, and has played bells since childhood. She is an active percussionist, and has performed as principal or section percussionist with various professional and community bands, orchestras, small ensembles, and combos throughout the upper Midwest. Since 1989, Cathy has worked in the music retail and publishing industry, and currently operates a music editing and engraving service with her husband. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in music at South Dakota State University, in her hometown of Brookings, SD. Ms. Moklebust and her family reside in rural Eagle Grove, Iowa, on her husband’s 1895 family farm. |
| Carol Roman(103931)Goshen, NY | 845-294-9465broman1@frontiernet.net | A ringer since 1967; director of 3 groups in Warwick, NY since 1985. Taught classes at local, Area 2 and national events. Directed local festival on Long Island and TINS division at Hudson Valley Handbell Festival Conference. Available as director for festivals (and helping organize them), clinician for techniques/ringing workshops, or mentor for individual choirs. Enthusiastic about sharing knowledge of handbells; a clear communicator and experienced teacher. |
| Tom Secor(117496)Newnan, GA | 678-423-9494/1-888-412-3557 (GA, Al, FL)tsecoratbells@yahoo.com | Tom is an active church musician/clinician with 22 years experience teaching and conducting bell choirs and ensembles. He is an inspiring and motivating clinician/teacher and has a 30+ year background as an educator and church music director, with a BME and MME from East Carolina University School of Music. |
| Michèle Sharik(113426)San Francisco Bay Area, CA | 650-504-0519Michele@TheGoldenDance.com | Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Michèle is an experienced director, clinician and solo artist, and is a member of the professional handbell ensemble Sonos. She is available to conduct Massed Ringing as well as to teach workshops on a variety of topics. |
| Valerie W. Stephenson(100511)Jacksonville, FL | 904-880-1806valeries1@comcast.net | Ms. Stephenson is an active handbell composer, arranger, author, conductor and clinician with extensive conducting experience at any ability level. She currently directs the Southside Handbell Ensemble. Valerie resides in Jacksonville, FL and holds a BME from Florida State University and a Master of Music from the University of Wisconsin. |
| Susan T. (Nelson) Sylvester(101980)Mercerville, NJ | 609-588-5124belln@4-tolled.com | Published composer since 1991 of over 100 works; Director of Music at churches since 1974; handbell director since 1989. An experienced clinician, Susan has taught classes ranging from basic technique to composition at festival conferences. Available for large or small events. Can design/teach classes to fit your needs. |
| Ed Tompkins(102262)Indian Trail, NCSuburb of Charlotte | 704-821-8392etompkin@aol.com | Ed has over 30 years experience in conducting church handbell choirs with ringers of all ages. Ed has directed numerous local and area events and has served as handbell clinician for Montreat, Lutheridge, and Massanetta Music Week multiple times. He provides workshops/coaching for individual choirs, working to take each choir to the “next level” of musicianship. |
| Dr. Susan Udell(108114)Madison, WI | 608-271-3514usandj@hotmail.com | In 1997, Dr. Udell founded the Madison Area Concert Handbells, an auditioned community choir dedicated to service through performances, educational programs, and advancement of the arts through handbell music. Under her leadership, the choir, with over 6 octaves of handbells and 7 octaves of handchimes, has presented programs for youth and the elderly, workshops and festivals for ringers/directors from Wisconsin and Illinois, and concerts in collaboration with many community organizations, including several with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Udell is available to conduct festivals or participate in workshops (techniques, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, conducting, musicality tips, reading sessions). A former church Music Director, she also has taught over 3000 elementary students to play handchimes in conjunction with MACH’s Enriching Music Appreciation school project. |
| Janet Van Valey(104997)Paw Paw, MI | 269-655-8081jvanvaley@gmail.com | Jan holds a Masters degree in Choral Conducting, has studied with Don Allured, William Payn, and David Davidson, has published numerous articles, co-authored the Learning to Ring series, and in 1981 founded the Kalamazoo Ringers. She is an experienced clinician and conductor who is known for her passion for the instrument and caring style of teaching. |
| Tammy Waldrop(106389)New Caney, TX | 281-689-1630Ringleader3@sbcglobal.net | As a clinician, I meet interesting people and enjoy sharing the ringing insights that I’ve gleaned in my 27-year experience with bells. I have a BM and a MM in music theory/composition from Baylor University and have over 400 pieces in print. Presently, I am handbell editor for Alfred Publishing. |
| Kipp Willnauer(101515)Gardner, KS(Kansas City Area) | 913-884-6935kwillnauer@kc.rr.com | A music educator and church musician for 30+ yrs. Since 1987 have been teaching handbells/chimes daily in public education. Have participated and/or directed community choirs and summer handbell camps for 15 years. Also involved in Area 8 teaching classes, workshops and filling nominated positions for 10+ years. |
| Margi Zearley(110797)Tucson, AZ | 520-954-3089zgal2@hotmail.com | Experienced conductor/clinician for festivals and small events. Holds M.M. in Choral Conducting from University of Arizona and B.S. in Music Education from Penn State University, completed Advanced conducting classes with David Davidson, AGEHR Masterclass with William Payn. Former Founder/Director of Sonoran Bells, presented workshops for local, Area handbell community, American Guild of Organists and AZ Music Educators. |
Requirements to Add Your Clinician Listing
You must be a current Handbell Musicians of America member to be added to this list. If you would like to add your information to the above list, please email us at webmaster@handbellmusicians.org with the information below:
1. Name
2. Member ID number
3. City & State of residence
4. Telephone number where you wish to be contacted
5. Email address
6. Website, if applicable
7. Add’l Notes (limit to 50 words or less)
If you are already listed and would like to make changes to your listing,
please email us at webmaster@handbellmusicians.org.
