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 Joyce Terry
Joyce began ringing in 1987 when the Handbell Director of her new church begged her to fill in for the dedication of a new third octave. Though she envisioned herself as a thimble ringer, she was given the bass bells and hasn't looked back. Joyce was with the Bells of Friendship for eight years. She has been ringing solos since 1990 and participating in small ensembles since 1991. In 1996 Joyce began collecting her own set of bells and founded Chesapeake Bronze Ensemble. Since then her collection has increases to 5 octaves plus a B3 bass bell and 4 octaves of hand chimes. Joyce presents workshops around the area for both beginning ensembles and groups who want to increase their skills. She is a past Maryland State Chair of Area III of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR). In addition to directing and ringing bass in Chesapeake Bronze she rings with the Anacrusis quintet, directs and rings with her church handbell ensemble and does regular solo performances. To support her handbell habit Joyce moonlights as a full-time CPA. She lives in Friendship, Maryland with her husband, a very enthusiastic Labrador Retriever and two cats.
Marijo Cosmas
Marijo was introduced to handbells at Huntingtown United Methodist Church where she was a member of the choir for several years. She joined Chesapeake Bronze in the fall of 1999 and enjoys having become an occasional "bell hog". Marijo considers herself the "musically challenged" member of the group. She plays no other instrument and at church on Sunday her singing makes a joyful "noise". Weekly handbell rehearsals are the perfect respite from her busy life as a Nurse Practitioner. Marijo lives in Huntingtown with her friend, 3 black Labrador Retrievers and 2 cats.
Karen Eggert
Karen has enjoyed ringing handbells since 1989. For a new challenge she began ringing in small ensembles in 1998. She is currently a member of the Anacrusis quintet and attends handbell conferences and festivals whenever possible to hone her skills. During the day, she makes her living as a librarian.
Chrys Hill
Chrys began ringing handbells in 1988 when she joined her church's bell choir. She soon became hooked and has been ringing with the Bells of Friendship ever since. In 1998 Chrys joined Chesapeake Bronze and enjoys ringing the variety of music the group affords. She has also had small ensemble experience ringing with Anacrusis for a little over a year. Chrys has always enjoyed singing. She sang with the Maryland Choral Society for about 25 years and sings in her church choir. She is a retired Administrative Officer with the Navy Department and lives on a farm in Owings, Maryland with her husband, four cats and various other critters. In her spare time she runs her own greenhouse business.
Evelyn Klahr
Ev began playing handbells in 1997. She was one of the beginners conned into a handbell sermon "just this once". She along with the rest of the group has attended several massed ringing conferences where as many as 800 ringers come together to put on a concert directed by nationally known conductors. When not ringing handbells, Ev sings in her church choir. For recreation she teaches second grade at Mayo Elementary School.
Barbara LaHeist
Barbara joined Chesapeake Bronze when it was first formed. She was recruited by Joyce to play a 'little' 13 minute number called 'The Creation'. She had never held a handbell before, but decided to give it a try. Since that time her skill and enthusiasm has grown more each year. A retired cartographer - she sings with her church choir and dabbles in arts and crafts. Her top job these days is being grandma to "Liam".
Warren LaHeist
Warren joined along with Barbara when Chesapeake Bronze was formed. He arrived at the first rehearsal, book in hand to be Barbara's moral support. He was persuaded to give ringing a try as a group of beginners began learning the ropes. By the end of the rehearsal he was hooked. Warren learned to play the guitar and read music at the age of 35. He sang first bass in the Masterworks Chorus in Montgomery County, Maryland for 10 years. A retired engineer, Warren sings with his church choir and is in his fifth year of his second career as a high school math teacher.
Lolly Mixter
Lolly has been ringing since 1993. She founded a handbell choir in The Woodlands, Texas in 1998. Her husband Jim was transferred to Virginia in 2000 so Lolly began searching for a handbell group in the area. She found Chesapeake Bronze and has traveled an hour one way to rehearsals each week ever since. In addition to bells, Lolly sings in her church choir. She and Jim have three musical children and a musical cat. Her non-musical pursuits include tennis, bridge and needlework.
Cyndie Sybert
Cyndie grew up with a family who all loved music. When she played piano one brother accompanied on saxophone while the other kept the beat with his drums. She and her mom sang in the church choir under the direction of Cyndie's father. Cyndie continued to sing even when she took charge of the youth choir and enjoys singing to this day. After moving to Maryland she thought ringing bells might be exciting and joined a small ensemble in 1998. In addition to ringing with Chesapeake Bronze, she rings with her church handbell choir. Cyndie's full-time job is as an Equal Opportunity Specialist for Navy civilians. She lives in Calvert County with her husband, one dog, two cockateils, her son and one granddog. |
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