Shannon Casey
Candidate for President-Elect
Shannon C. Casey has served as Artistic Director and Conductor of Sonoran Bells in Tucson, Arizona, since 2011, following her earlier tenure as a performing member from 2004 to 2009. She also directs the Steeple Bells at Northminster Presbyterian Church and serves as Handbell Director at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, sharing her passion for musical excellence across sacred, educational, and community settings. As a clinician and mentor, she is known for cultivating musical artistry and developing confident leaders within ensembles.
Shannon is a former Chair of the Area 11 Board of Directors (2014–2020) and previously served as a local liaison for National Seminar. She is a regular participant in Distinctly Bronze, National Seminar, and Pinnacle, and maintains deep ties to the national handbell community.
In addition to her musical leadership, Shannon brings over two decades of experience in organizational strategy and operations. Through her company, Spiral Rose Leadership, she provides executive coaching and fractional COO services for service-based organizations, helping them strengthen infrastructure, align teams, and steward sustainable growth. She holds a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Arizona.
What is your vision for Handbell Musicians of America?
My vision for Handbell Musicians of America is rooted in people—ringers who show up faithfully each week, directors who balance musical and leadership responsibilities, and volunteers who give generously of their time. I want HMA to remain a place where members feel supported, inspired, and connected—whether leading a church choir, directing a school ensemble, or building a community program. That begins with listening well and assessing the real needs of our diverse membership.
Across all settings, directors share common challenges: limited resources, changing participation patterns, recruiting and retention, and the desire to offer meaningful musical experiences. HMA can be a powerful partner—providing accessible education, practical resources, leadership development, and artistic opportunities that strengthen ensembles and sustain directors. When one part of our ecosystem thrives, it strengthens the whole.
What expertise and experience will you bring to Handbell Musicians of America board of directors?
From an organizational perspective, my professional work as a COO and executive coach has shown me how essential financial stewardship, healthy staffing, and clear strategic direction are to sustaining mission-driven organizations. For members, that behind-the-scenes strength translates into tangible benefits: stable programs, affordable events, responsive support, and an organization able to adapt without losing its heart. I would bring that lens to the board’s responsibility of monitoring financial and operational health.
Governance matters because it shapes the environment in which everything else happens. I value boards that lead with clarity, trust, and collaboration—boards that set direction while empowering staff, volunteers, and members. My prior service on the Area 11 Board taught me how closely connected our local, regional, and national efforts are, and how thoughtful governance can strengthen ensembles at every level.
I am deeply committed to an HMA that continues to welcome new ringers with open arms while also encouraging musical growth that allows ensembles and individuals to experience the deeper artistic rewards of this unique instrument. I want every person who rings a bell—at any level—to feel seen not just as a participant, but as a musician whose contribution carries artistic meaning.
At my core, I am both a musician and a builder. My leadership with Sonoran Bells, along with service in churches and at national and regional levels, has reinforced that growth is not just about numbers—it is about nurturing people, deepening community, and creating sustainable pathways forward. I envision an HMA that is financially strong, artistically vibrant, forward-thinking, and rooted in service—an organization that supports today’s directors while preparing tomorrow’s leaders. It would be an honor to steward that future alongside the board and membership.
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