About Rezound!
Meet the Musicians
Janet Carter has a Music Education degree from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and High School/Middle School teaching credentials (music/english) from Christchurch Teachers College, in Christchurch NZ. In New Zealand Janet taught academic music in high school, and vocal and instrumental ensembles in high school and elementary school.
Since coming to the US in 1986 Janet taught pre-school music, and had many private piano students. She has more than 50 years experience as a church musician, planning and coordinating worship, accompanying worship, directing vocal, instrumental, and handbell ensembles, and directing musicals.
Since 1990 Janet has been Director of Music, Youth, and Small Group Ministries at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church in Overland Park, Kansas. She is also the worship coordinator, funeral coordinator, and church office manager. Her music responsibilities include playing the piano in worship as needed, and directing two Handbell Ensembles, the Chancel Choir, and the Praise Team.
Janet has been a clinician and faculty member at various handbell events including Handbell Musicians of America National, Area 8 and Area 2 events for both adults and young ringers. She has been one of the team of Directors for the annual Intergenerational Handbell Camp in Parkville, MO since 1999, and serves on the Handbell Camp Board.
Janet was thrilled to serve two different terms as Rezound’s Interim Artistic Director, and is now delighted to be Rezound’s permanent Director, and part of this excellent ensemble!
Marshall Allen grew up in Rochester, NY and started ringing handbells at his church when he was in elementary school. He eventually played with the adult, Alleluia Bell choir and the Rochester area-wide, ROC City Ringers ensemble. Music has always been an important part of Marshall’s life. He is an avid pianist and played Alto Saxophone throughout school. With degrees in Landscape Architecture and Urban Design from Syracuse and Columbia University, Marshall moved to the middle of the country in 2017 to pursue a career with a design firm in Downtown Kansas City. After a 3 year hiatus from ringing handbells, the urge to play grew too large and so he joined Rezound! in 2018 after hearing about the group. In his free time, Marshall likes to bike, check out the newest breweries, cheer on the Buffalo Bills, and travel around the world. He currently serves as Rezound!’s Moderator
Laurie Austin began ringing handbells in college with the Williamsburg Ringers before moving to Boston for grad school. There she rang with the Jubilate Ringers at First Congregational Church in Melrose before joining the Back Bay Ringers community handbell choir in 2013. After moving to the Kansas City area, Laurie joined Rezound! in 2019. Bell highlights so far include performing with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall and the Kansas City Symphony at the Kauffman Center; appearing in concert at two different Handbell Musicians of America National Seminars in Rochester, NY, and St. Louis, MO; and recording music for a 48 Hours television episode.
Cathy Brenner has been ringing bells since 1994 in her church choir and as a member of Rezound! since 2008. To support her handbell habit, Cathy works as a scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture managing labs that evaluate instruments and quality methods used to inspect grain. Music has always been her favorite way of relaxing. When she’s not ringing bells she likes to visit national parks.
Trey Bures began ringing handbells in his mom’s bell choir in the 5th grade. He began attending the Intergenerational Handbell Camp in Parkville, MO in 7th grade and was honored to join its Board of Directors in 2024. Trey attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, where he played in the handbell choir for five years and graduated in 2011. Upon returning to Kansas City Trey first joined Rezound in 2011 and played with the ensemble until 2013. In 2013 Trey moved back to South Carolina where he met his future wife, Jesse, whom you can often find at our concerts taking pictures. In 2015 Trey and Jesse returned to KC and Trey rejoined Rezound in the winter of 2021. In addition to handbells, Trey is a talented bassist and tuba player. Trey is also the Handbell Director at Lenexa United Methodist in Lenexa, KS.
Lindsay Callender began ringing with her church handbell choir in 2nd grade at age 7. This is her first year playing with Rezound! and she could not be more excited! She is currently a member of 4 different handbell choirs and enjoys the challenge Rezound! provides. She has been involved with music for as long as she can remember, playing both the piano and violin for many years. Throughout her young adult years, Lindsay was an avid musical theater enthusiast. She took vocal lessons for 15 years, and is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary dance. Lindsay recently graduated from the University of Alabama in 2023 with both her B.A in Sociology and her M.A. in Political Science on an expedited track, and is looking to work for non-profits or in policy analysis. While not ringing, Lindsay enjoys traveling, reading and volunteering.
Jill Endaya began her ringing career shortly after graduating high school. Music has always been an important part of her life — she began taking piano lessons at an early age and shortly after, found her love of percussion. After a whirlwind of marching band and ensembles in high school, she found the desire to try something new and challenging. Ringing handbells fit the bill! What started as volunteering at her church’s handbell choir led to continuing her interest and education with ringing. She joined Rezound! in the spring of 2016 and currently serves as the ensemble’s Secretary.
Kathy Ford earned her BMEd. and Master of Arts degrees from Baker Univ. and UCM and taught vocal music for 28 years in Clinton and Blue Springs, Mo., where her student handbell choirs rang three times for the Mo. State Music Educators’ Conference. She serves the Blue Springs First UMC as organist and music coordinator, directs the Chancel Choir and an adult handbell choir. Kathy has rung with Rezound! since 2002 and has been a director for the Intergenerational Handbell Camp in Parkville for over 20 years. She has a private piano studio and is the accompanist for her husband’s brass students during contest season. Kathy likes to find time to play golf and pickleball, travel, and play with her four grandchildren.
Erin Grochowsky
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.
Pat Latshaw began ringing handbells in 1986 and has enjoyed opportunities to ring solo and small ensemble pieces as well as serving her church as handbell choir director. She also plays the flute, piano and pennywhistle. When she’s not ringing, she enjoys knitting, watching British drama and traveling. Pat joined Rezound! in 2004 and lives in Prairie Village, KS. She has served Area 8 of the Handbell Musicians of America as Secretary and Communications Chair and is the current Rezound! Treasurer.
Lisa Mills began ringing handbells as a teenager in her church. She joined Rezound! in the fall of 2001. She also plays piano and has given lessons in the past along with accompanying local school honor choirs and contest soloists/ensembles. Lisa works for the Independence Missouri School District as a sign language interpreter. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting zoos across the country, traveling, doing anything handbell related, and keeping on top of her children’s many activities.
Rachel Miessler began ringing over 20 years ago in a youth choir at her church and she has been captivated by the fun of ringing handbells ever since. While in college she rang with Luther Ringers and particularly enjoyed participating in Christmas at Luther each year. Rachel helped develop a handbell program while working at a church in North Dakota, which included teaching many new ringers the joys of handbells. While looking for handbell choirs to join after a move to the Kansas City area, Rachel learned about handbell camp and had a blast hanging out with ringers for a week. Through camp connections, Rachel learned about Rezound! and joined the ensemble in 2023. When she is not ringing Rachel can be found adventuring across the country and around the world to visit friends and family.
Michael Schumacher began ringing with Rezound! as a long-term substitute during the fall of 2018 and was honored to join the roster as a regular member in 2019. As a native of northeastern Iowa, he attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music (organ) and minor in business. As a student there, he also participated regularly as a member of the percussion ensembles. Michael later moved to the Kansas City area to pursue graduate studies in music (organ) at the University of Kansas. Currently, he works full time for Central Bank of the Midwest, serves as organist and choir accompanist at West Side Christian Church in Topeka, KS, and is also a member of the Lawrence Community Handbell Choir. When not working at the bank or serving in a musical role, Michael attends classes in an unrelated field and is the proud parent of two of the region’s most spoiled felines.
Sarah Spencer began playing bells in 7th grade. She was stuck playing the bass bells because she joined the choir late and it was the only position left open. Excluding a break during college, she’s been ringing bass clef ever since. She lives in Lenexa with her little dog. In her spare time she enjoys spoiling her niblings and attending craft fairs. Sarah was a member of Rezound! beginning fall 2014 through fall 2019 and rejoined the ensemble in spring 2022. She enjoys being challenged with the out-of-the box style Rezound! plays.
Sara Washington started her ringing career at First UMC in Manhattan, KS in 1975 and directing at First Baptist Arlington, TX in 1991. She has been selected for many advanced auditioned choirs at HMA sponsored events, for the Solo and Ensemble Dream Team, rang at Bay View Week of Handbells, and has rung in and directed choirs across 8 states. Sara helped start several community choirs: The Rhapsody Ringers of Manhattan, KS (1978), Tulsa Festival Ringers (1991) Kansas City Handbells (1997) and Rezound! Handbell Ensemble of Kansas City (2001), served two terms as Secretary for Area 8 Handbell Musicians of America, and over the years has directed and taught at festivals, workshops and camps. Wanting a challenge while living in Atlanta, GA she rang with three advanced choirs: Geneva Ringers at Central Presbyterian Church, The Atlanta Concert Ringers and Golden Bells of Atlanta, and subbed at many churches throughout the city. Sara and her husband Syl recently moved back to Kansas City to be closer to her huge family (9 sibs + 4 steps and their families). She enjoys family gatherings, biking, walking, baking, sewing, reading and training her new pound puppy, Sisko.
