The Ringers
 
 

James Cady.  James has been playing bells since 2000, at the tender young age of 13. He's been ringing ever since, and is already facing his third instructor (seriously, Jane is fantastic). James has led a fairly musical life, first learning the cello and french horn, so when the time came to play bells, he fell fast. How did he find his way to the Shoreline Ringers? It just so happens his church instructor, Robin Martelle, also rings in the group, and when the time came to add a member, his name came up. Honestly, he couldn't think of a more enjoyable way to spend his Wednesday evenings. James is in his second year at Three Rivers Community College, and also works as a math tutor.

 

Jean Degan.  Jean Degan is the Director of Music Ministry at St. Joseph RC Church in Bristol, CT.  She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from the University of Connecticut, a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance and a Master of Music degree in Liturgical Music from the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford.  Jean discovered handbells in 1993 and has since organized 4 handbell choirs through the church and affiliated school, adding to the four vocal choirs and extensive cantor program.  Jean has been a handbell clinician/director throughout New England.  She was recently elected by AGHER Area 1 membership to the position as the Chair Elect of the Board of Directors.  This is a 6 year commitment to leadership in AGEHR.  Jean also teaches private piano and pipe organ.  She is a recitalist and accompanist on both piano and organ.  Jean is very active in the Archdiocese of Hartford, directing the diocesan children's choir and recording many CD's of MusicQuest for the Small Christian Community Office.  Another of her side jobs is as the music director for the drama department at Bristol Eastern High School.

Cheryl Harger.  Cheryl has been directing handbells at the First Congregational Church in Essex since 1999 but has never been a regular ringer until joining the Shoreline Ringers in 2008.  Her degree is in Accounting and she works as a Financial Analyst at Infiltrator Systems in Old Saybrook, but music has always been a part of her life.  Her mother taught piano, so Cheryl began playing at an early age and then took up the clarinet in elementary school.  This background proved to be most helpful as she began directing handbells with no formal music education at all.  She's proud of the three choirs she directs at her church: the Grace Notes, the Rainbow Ringers and the Cheerful Chimers and enjoys this new adventure with Shoreline Ringers.  She lives in Ivoryton with her husband, Scott, two daughters, Sierra and Leah, and two cats, Trouble and Spatula.

   

Katy King.  Katy is 19 years old and a homeschooled senior.  She lives in Groton and attends Covenant Presbyterian Church in Ledyard.  She has been playing handbells since third grade, but also studies organ, voice, music composition, and piano.  Additionally, Katy sings alto in the Norwich Diocesan Choir at St. Patrick's Cathedral.  In 2008, she also participated as a chorus member in Salt Marsh Opera's production of "Lucia di Lammermoor."  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing fiction, genealogy, knitting, and ballroom dancing.

  

Pat Korenkiewicz.  Pat is Music Director at Colchester Federated Church, the site of our first ever Christmas Concert, where she directs the Sr. and Jr Choirs, handchime choir and is also the organist.  Over the years she has served churches in VT, NH, NY and CT.  Although she's been playing in churches "forever" she is relatively new to bell ringing and loving every minute of it!  Pat lives in Colchester with her husband John and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

 

Suzie Krakowiak.  Suzie started ringing handbells 13 years ago at St. Luke Lutheran Church with Jane Nolan.  She started her musical career when she was just a baby; her parents started to bring her to all their concerts and musicals.  Music has always been a part of her life and will continue to be for the rest of it.  Suzie started her first musical instrument, the oboe, in 5th grade and continued to perform through high school until graduation from Ledyard, where she also served as the Drum Major in her junior and senior year.  She is self taught on flute, clarinet, saxophone, and piano.  Suzie performed at Carnegie Hall with the high school choir back in 2003 and with the US Coast Guard Band Holiday Concerts in both 2002 and 2009.  She looks forward to every Wednesday night rehearsal with Jane and her fellow ringers.  Suzie is 22 years old and currently living in Southeastern CT.

 

Mobby Larson.  Mobby Larson is a (mostly) retired church pastor, but still active doing various forms of ministry within the United Church of Christ.  She's been involved with music since children's choir in 4th grade many, many years ago.  Mobby's been an accompanist for several choirs, and has been ringing bells for 10-12 years after driving Pete to all those rehearsals in earlier years.  In her "spare time" now she loves reading, does storytelling, is working on several writing projects, plays with her grandkids, and has gotten hooked on beading (She makes the jewelry for the Shoreline Ringers).

  

Pete Larson.  Pete began ringing at the wee age of 10, or 5th grade, or thereabouts.  He began under Jane, and fell in love with handbells.  He rang with the New England Ringers for a year in college, and now enjoys spending his Wednesday evenings watching Jane wave her arms furiously.  He works in East Hartford as a Business Analyst, programming and using databases all day. Pete lives in Colchester with his wife.

Becky Marcotte.  Becky has always loved being involved with music. She started ringing handbells for one of Jane's groups at St. Luke when she was 10, and has loved it ever since.  Throughout her handbell career, she has had the opportunity to travel to England and to various states in the US.  After taking a two year break to attended graduate school for a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling, she has moved back to Connecticut.  She is very excited about being able to play bells once again.

Robin Martelle.  Robin began ringing when she was twelve years old in Newtown, Pennsylvania. She is the Director of Handbells and the Junior Choir at Saint David's Episcopal Church in Gales Ferry. Robin received her B.S. in Music Education from the University of Hartford and has a Masters Degree in Education from Eastern Connecticut State University.  She has been teaching general music for Groton Public Schools for 12 years.  Robin currently lives in Ledyard with her husband and 2 sons.

Kristen Russo.  Kristen has been playing handbells since the age of 17. She went to her first AGEHR Festival/Conference at Niagra Falls in 1994 and has only missed one festival since then. Kristen has rung her way around New England starting with the St. Joseph Handbell Choir in Bristol CT, to the New England Ringers in MA, to Bells of Joy in Rutland VT, and now to the Shoreline Ringers! She is also a vocalist and sings with semi-professional choirs around CT as well as with the St Joseph Adult Choir in Bristol (ref. bio of Jean Degan). Kristen also likes to attend concerts and can frequently be found either 'rocking out' at a show, browsing the shelves at Borders, taking a road trip, or singing in her car. She currently lives in Terryville and directs the Asbury Methodist Church Handbell Choir in Bristol, CT. Kristen has a degree in Music Education and is a music teacher for the Bristol Schools. She has this to say about music: "It's something that must be coded in my DNA. I would not be myself without it and I HAVE to participate.

MaryGail Simpson.  MaryGail lives in Groton, CT and has been a fifth-grade teacher for over 30 years.  She credits her father, a church musician, for her love of music.  She has sung in various choirs and has helped organize and conduct the chorus at her school.  MaryGail has played handbells for many years, beginning under the direction and tutelage of Jane Nolan at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, CT.  She is married and has one son and one Airedale.

Michael Steele.  Mike has been playing handbells since day 2 of the handbell era at St. Luke, under Jane's teaching.  There, he played in the Concert handbell choir, and had the opportunity to accompany the U.S. Coast Guard on handbells.  He's also been involved in the recording of three CDs.  He currently lives in Norwich, CT, but has lived in several other parts of CT, and works at Bob's Discount Furniture as the trainer for the delivery drivers.

Laura Waite.  Laura began ringing bells in her high school’s bell choir in Coatesville, Pennsylvania at the age of 15.  She received her B.S. in Music Education from West Chester University and has a Masters Degree in Music Education from University of Connecticut.  Laura teaches general/vocal music at Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School in Groton and she teaches private piano lessons 2 evenings a week.  Laura also rings at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry.   She enjoys gardening and decorating her house when she’s not doing something musical.   She currently lives in Gales Ferry with her husband Rob and her two “furry children” Max and Beau. 

Andy Wallace.  Andy Wallace of North Stonington, CT, is the Music Director at the Dunn's Corners Community Church, Presbyterian, in Westerly, RI where he directs the choral and handbell programs. Andy has been ringing handbells in choirs and ensembles since 1991 and is also active as a solo ringer. He received his B.A. in Secondary Education/History and is a middle school history teacher in West Greenwich, RI, receiving several outstanding teaching awards including the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, the “Oscars” of education.