About the Ensemble

HOME ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE UPCOMING CONCERTS REPERTOIRE MAILING LIST DONOR CIRCLE REZOUND! CD PHOTO ALBUM PAST CONCERTS AUDITIONS LINKS CONTACT US FOR MEMBERS ONLY			Director:
			Amy Pierce, who has been involved in music since a small child, is in her 4th year as Director of Rezound! She began ringing in 1994 with Bronze choir, Kalamazoo Ringers, under the direction of Janet VanValey. Amy enjoys directing and spreading the joy of ringing. Amy's specialty is having fun while mixing the timbres of Schulmerich, Malmark choirchimes, White Chapel and occasionally Petit & Fritzen. Amy lives in Blue Springs with her supportive husband, Chris, and their two beautiful daughters. Chris and Amy enjoy working together as Reece & Nichols realtors.
			Members:
			Jacob Becker began ringing in the eighth grade at Blue Ridge Christian School, where he rang all through high school. He then joined the bell choir at College of the Ozarks, where he played for three years. He currently lives in Raytown, MO, and is enjoying his second year in Rezound!
			Cathy Brenner has been ringing handbells for approximately 10 years. Music has always been her favorite way of relaxing.
			Lauran Delancy began ringing in high school as a member of the Ft. Leavenworth Youth Handbell Choir under the direction of Mrs. Charm Peterman. She immediately fell in love with the handbells and has been a soloist since 1998 and has been directing since 1999 both at the church and college level. She loves working with handbells and answering questions as a clinician and also as a sales aid for Schumerich Handbells. Lauran attended Concordia University Wisconsin where she had the opportunity to ring as a member of the Alleluia Ringers under the direction of Dr. John Behnke for 6 years. She graduated in 2003 with a BA in Parish Music and a BA in Humanities. She just completed her Master of Church Music degree with an emphasis in Handbells this Fall. Lauran especially loves ringing with her husband Patrick in their church handbell choir.
			Romaine Diamond has been involved with music her entire life. Growing up in a musical family, she played the piano, oboe and English Horn. As an adult, Romaine has enjoyed playing handbells as an extra curricular activity. Romaine first played English Handbells with Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church and the Claremont Ringers in Atlanta, GA. After returning "home" to Kansas City in 2003, she sought out an accomplished group to further her skills. This is Romaine's fifth year with Rezound!
			Kathy Ford taught vocal music for 28 years in the Clinton and Blue Springs public schools. She earned a Music Ed. degree from Baker University and a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in organ and music theory from University of Central Missouri. She is an organist at First United Methodist Church in Blue Springs, and is director of the Chancel Choir and two adult handbell choirs. She serves as a choral and handbell clinician and adjudicator in Missouri and Kansas. She also maintains a private piano studio of twenty students. Kathy has a special interest in handbell ringing. Her student handbell choirs were invited to play three times for the Missouri State Music Educator’s Association. She has been a director for sixteen years at Heartland Presbyterian Center’s Intergenerational handbell camp at Parkville, Mo. She rang four years with Campanella of KC and is in her seventh year with Rezound. Kathy’s professional memberships include ACDA, MCDA, MMEA, AGEHR, and MRTA. Her spare time is spent accompanying and helping to prepare her musician-husband, Chuck’s brass students for contests. They have two grown sons, Chad and Tanner, two daughters-in-law, Mandy and Michelle, and two grandchildren, Lilly and Drake. She also likes golfing, cross-stitching, and hanging out with pets Mandy, Meg, and Keefer.
			Lisa Gerken began ringing bells as a teenager at her church. Twenty plus years later she is still ringing. Lisa also plays the piano and has given lessons in the past. Lisa works as a sign language interpreter in the Odessa Missouri School District. She has worked here for thirteen years. Her family consists of husband John, 5 year old daughter Alexis and 2 year old daughter Allie. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to zoos, going to Worlds of Fun and Silver Dollar City, watching football, cross-stitching, shopping and scrapbooking the millions of pictures taken of the kids.
			Russell W. Joy, to whom music has always been very important, graduated from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music in Berea, Ohio. He majored in bassoon with an emphasis in early music and later played with the Ohio Chamber Orchestra. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Russell sang in the Mendelssohn Choir. For the last two years, handbells have been his musical passion. "I find handbells more challenging, rewarding, and musically sophisticated than I ever imagined them to be." With over 20 years artistic experience, Russell is the artist and owner of Joy Stained Glass Studio in Kansas City, Missouri--his other career.
			Angela Krueger rang handbells off and on during middle school and high school. She started ringing regularly under the direction of Judy Scharmann while attending Kansas State University, starting in August 1993. After completing college, job opportunities kept Angela and her husband in Manhattan, so she was able to continue ringing with the Rhapsody Ringers until Spring 2000. Angela has been married to her wonderful husband, Paul, for over 12 years. Together, they have two beautiful daughters and recently added a son. Emily is in third grade, Katie is in first grade and Jace was born on Aug. 30, 2007. In her spare time, Angela loves to spend time with family and read.
			Pat Latshaw began ringing in 1986 and has enjoyed opportunities to ring solo and small ensemble pieces as well as previously serving her church as handbell choir director. She also plays the flute and piano. Pat lives in Prairie Village with her husband, daughter and son. This is her fourth year with Rezound!
			Tenessa Martin started ringing handbells when she was in the eighth grade as a member of the Ft. Leavenworth Youth Handbell Choir. She started piano lessons when she was eight years old, then started flute in 5th grade. She then tried other various woodwinds including bassoon, clarinet, and the saxophone. Tenessa graduated from the University of Kansas in 2006 majoring in Music Education. She is an elementary music teacher in Kansas City, KS school district and teaches private piano lessons at her home. Tenessa has been ringing handbells on and off for about ten years. She also currently rings with the Wesley Ringers at First United Methodist Church in Leavenworth, Kansas. Tenessa has been married to her wonderful husband, Whit for almost one year (December 16) and together they have the cutest dog in the world named Barone! They do plan on having kids "when the time is right".
			Sheri Rutten was born and raised in Palmer, Nebraska. She started ringing in 1995 at First United Methodist Church in Blue Springs, Missouri and has attended the Intergenerational Handbell Camp at Heartland Presbyterian Center in Parkville, MO for several years. Sheri joined Rezound! in the fall of 2001. In addition to ringing handbells, she enjoys playing the flute, singing in her church choir, cross-stitching, following Nebraska football, and spending time with her niece and nephews.
			Kristen Walker
			Sara Washington has been involved with handbells for over 30 years. She has acquired many bell friends from all over the country while ringing in numerous choirs in Kansas, Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Iowa and Missouri. She helped start several auditioned community groups - The Rhapsody Ringers of Manhattan, KS, The Tulsa Festival Ringers of Tulsa, OK, Kansas City Handbells and Rezound!. Most years Sara rings with others from all over the country at Bay View Week of Handbells in various assignments. Always looking for a ringing challenge, she has rung in many auditioned Bronze choirs at National AGEHR sponsored events. She was one of four selected for the Solo and Ensemble Dream Team-summer 2005. (http://www.steproject.com/SEE/2005Archive/DREAMTEAM.html) Sara is a past AGEHR Area VIII Board Member having served as Secretary for 2 terms, 2000-2004. She currently directs Handbell groups at Platte Woods United Methodist Church in Kansas City. Other interests: Sara plays bassoon for Platte City Community Band and her church orchestra, and she works in stained glass for Joy Stained Glass Studio. (joystainedglass.com)


Revised: 7 MARCH 2008 Copyright ©2008 Rezound! All rights reserved. E-mail: contact@rezound.org