Leeann Wade – I have been in musical groups most of my life. I was in a handbell choir in OKC, as well as choral groups, but handbells were my passion. Upon moving to the Portland area, a friend, Ednamae, texted me that if I ever had a chance to ring with Ellie Hodder to do it. I finally had the opportunity and joined Pacific Ringers. It has changed my life. The camaraderie of fellow ringers and their support through difficult pieces is amazing. Ringing with others brings me joy. My grandchildren and family are always number one making handbells a very close second.

Jill Sanders – Jill became a ringer during the pandemic as a way to hang out with her brother and make music during those times. Her first introduction to bells was supporting her daughters in one of Ellie’s ensembles, but now that the daughters are grown and the brother has moved away, she’s a ringer in her own right. Other musical adventures are as a singer in Aurora Chorus and learning the fiddle for a blue grass garage band.

Emily Jo Jensen – Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Accompanying others and being part of a musical ensemble has always been my preferred performance mode. Being a part of Pacific Ringers continues to afford me that opportunity. Though no longer the “newbie” of the group, I continue to face the challenges of an adult learner. Thank you fellow Pacific Ringers for your patience and encouragement. It is a privilege to be a part of this intergenerational ensemble.

Tim Henderson My love for music began as a toddler. I can remember attending outdoor music concerts with my Mom and her friends as early as 3 years old. During these concerts, I was typically the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. I loved music! During my young years I was a part of the community dance group in Tualatin and I was a member of my high school dance team until I graduated. I also loved to sing in music class and at church (especially next to my grandfather who had the most amazing and inspirational voice.) At 10 I began learning to play flute and played with the Sherwood middle school and high school bands until my sophomore year. I then began working with my church choir director (a music student at Portland State at the time) and performing consistently for special music. I’ve continued to play my flute privately and publicly at every opportunity since. I’ve also continued to sing with the choir, and any other opportunity that presented itself. My first exposure to playing bells was also with my church in my early high school days, but that opportunity waned as I left to begin my career in the United States Coast Guard. After I retired I was introduced to Pacific Ringers and have been playing here for the last two seasons. I continue to also sing with my church and play my flute whenever I can. I look forward to a glorious future of continuing to grow my musical skills.

Jessica Connor started playing with Pacific Ringers last Spring of 2022. Coming from a church handbell background starting in 2001 at Salem First United Methodist, she has played through college, seminary, and her early career as a pastor. Joining Pacific Ringers has been such a joy for her to take a challenging step in her handbell practice and passion!

Maggie Dickerson has been a member of PR since about 2017, coming from the handbell program at the First Unitarian Church of Portland. Currently, she plays handbells at the United Church of Christ in Forest Grove. She has also played for many years as an amateur cellist in community orchestras and small chamber groups and as a fiddler in friend’s kitchens and at community events. Maggie mostly plays music for fun, and she particularly loves handbells for the way they incorporate movement into music-making.

Kelly Griffith grew up playing handbells in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA.  After moving to Portland, she was delighted to find a community choir where she can learn more about handbells, techniques, and the unique people who call handbells their passion. Joining Pacific Ringers this season, Kelli is challenging herself with new ringing positions from the large low bass bells to the tenacious tiny trebles.

Betty Harter joined Pacific Ringers in January 2013.  She is relatively new to handbells, although she has been around music all her life.  In addition to handbells, Betty sings, plays saxophone, piano and recorder.  She is currently learning how to play the ukulele.

Kate Coates started playing handbells when she was 10 years old to learn a musical instrument (and to get out of singing in the youth choir). She has been playing bells off and on for the past 20 years. She joined PR in 2016 to make herself stretch a bit in music and to make new music friends and to keep handbells in her life.

Melinda L. Chandos serves as honorary member for the end of this season, filling in after a member accepted an out-of-state career.  She is a third-year ringer with the First Unitarian Church groups and can often be spotted trekking around town with her musical near-5-year-old daughter.  Though encouraged to try all the bells, she is firmly fond of the B4/C5 position (middle C) “because it’s always in the middle of the action.”

Marisa Johnson Since being a music therapist and piano teacher by day wasn’t enough music, Marisa decided to join pacific ringers in 2016. She has played in many different handbell choirs starting at age 10 in 3 different states. When Marisa isn’t musicking, she is often found quilting, embroidering, or in the woods basking in Oregon’s beauty.

 

Dan Anajovich started ringing handbells in 2010 to bring more music into his life.  In particular, he was looking for a place where the whole truly is greater than the sum of the parts. Since torturing his family with violin lessons as a youngun, Dan hadn’t played an instrument since starting with Chalice bells in 2010 (unless you count the instruments from the Rock Band video game).  Dan is married with 3 fabulous daughters.

Nadine Whitfield  is a newcomer to Pacific Ringers but no stranger to handbells or music. While growing up, music was a big part of her life, as well as her two sisters. There was always someone practicing music. It was not uncommon for her family to accept a dinner invitation and end up being the entertainment. These experiences blossomed into learning handbells with Kathie Fink at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church in Northern CA and proceeding to work as a freelance conductor and multi-instrumentalist in bands, orchestras, musical theater and recording studios throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Nadine holds a BA in Music Composition, a BS in Computer Science and was an original  member of SONOS Handbell Ensemble.

Debra Mikkelsen joined Pacific Ringers in January 2012. She started playing handbells at First Unitarian Church, Portland, Oregon in 2002. Her first experience was with the church’s two youth choirs. In 2005, First Church started Chalice Bells, a beginning adult  handbell choir. Deb moved up to ring with the big kids and she has been playing with them ever since.

 

Wingy joined the Pacific Ringers for the spring 2013 concert. Wingy appeared one day with a copy of Overtones in his claws, and decided to stay after hearing a hauntingly familiar melody. Wingy takes dynamics very seriously and also helps keep the group free from pests.