Faculty

MICHAEL GLASGOW

An award-winning composer with an “abundant melodic gift” (New York Concert Review), Michael strives to creatively advance the art of handbell, choral and orchestral music through special projects and assignments. He has fulfilled more than 40 commissions, including Concerto for Castings, the premiere of which he will conduct in January 2022 in Hong Kong, with percussion soloist Matthew Lau.

Michael made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting his Requiem for chorus and orchestra in June 2017, and conducted its European premiere in Vienna two years later. After being named a “Distinguished Composer and Conductor” by MidAmerica Productions, Michael was invited to return to Carnegie Hall to conduct the world premiere of his Gloria in June 2022.

Michael is proud to have served as the inaugural conductor for the Anthornis and Anthornis North advanced-ringing events in Minneapolis and Fargo; additional international engagements include England, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Eastern Caribbean.  He also serves as the Bass Section Leader for the North Carolina Master Chorale.

More information and samples of Michael’s work may be found at www.michaeljglasgow.com, and on Twitter and YouTube: @MichaelJGlasgow.

DAVID HARRIS

David M. Harris is in his 33rd season as the music director of The Raleigh Ringers, an internationally-recognized touring handbell ensemble based in Raleigh, NC.  David was instrumental in the formation of this auditioned choir in 1990.  Under his leadership, The Raleigh Ringers have performed in France and England; on International Television on the “Hour of Power” program; as a showcase choir for the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar and Area Festivals; with the North Carolina and Virginia Symphony Orchestras; and as special guest performers at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.  The Raleigh Ringers are in constant demand as featured guest performers for various artist series and handbell festivals around the country.

The Raleigh Ringers have premiered hundreds of handbell compositions by nationally-known handbell composers including William Payn, Hart Morris, Arnold Sherman, Karen Buckwalter, Kevin McChesney, Cathy Moklebust, Bill Griffin, and Fred Gramann.  The group has worked with Jeffers Publications to produce “The Raleigh Ringers Series”, a set of handbell publications intended for advanced choirs.  To date, The Raleigh Ringers have released seven very popular CDs and two full-length DVDs.   Both DVDs have been featured in PBS Holiday specials syndicated across 250+ PBS stations and affiliates in 45 states.   The Raleigh Ringers also record demonstration music several times a year for some of the largest handbell publishers.

David is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and has studied conducting privately with Dr. William A. Payn (Bucknell University).  He has served The Handbell Musicians of America in several capacities: as All-Star Conductor, Ringing Track Conductor and Instructor for the National Seminar; as clinician for numerous Local and Area Festivals and Workshops; as North Carolina State Chairman; and as Area III Treasurer.  Because of his strong interest in the development of community handbell programs, David served as chairman for the first ever Handbell Musicians-sponsored event for community ringers entitled, “Pinnacle 2000”, held in Las Vegas.  David and The Raleigh Ringers developed and sponsor the biennual event, “Virtuoso”, a performance-focused event for advanced ringers.    In addition, David has led handbell festivals and workshops in 37 states as well as in England, Puerto Rico, Canada and the Caribbean.  He has also been the primary handbell clinician for several denominational music events, including Montreat (NC), Lake Junaluska (NC), Lutheridge (NC), Mo-Ranch (TX) and Massanetta (VA). David is also one of the co-founders of the very successful Capital Area Handbell Festival, held annually in Raleigh.  He has written several articles for Overtones, the national publication of The Handbell Musicians of America.

MICHAEL JOY

Born and raised in Canton, Ohio, Michael Joy has lived in Philadelphia, PA since 1974. He received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Theory and Composition from Baldwin-Wallace University. He studied handbells with Donald Allured and handbell composition with Arnold Sherman. For the last 46 years Michael has been the Music Director at First Presbyterian Church in Ambler, PA where he started the handbell program in 1978. In 2019 Michael retired from The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA where he taught for 21 years and developed the handbell program there.

Michael is the Executive Editor for the GIA Foundations Series, designed specifically for developing handbell ensembles in schools.  He is the co-author (with Sandra Eithun) of Pathways to Musical Ringing, a new reproducible series from Choristers Guild. Michael is a published composer and has taught at Handbell Musicians of America Area festivals and National Seminars, PMEA district and state conferences, and the 2008 International Handbell Symposium. He was the inaugural director of the first College Ring-In from 2016-2018. In June of 2019, Michael was the inaugural conductor for Reaching for Bronze, a handbell event for ringers who aspire to become advanced level ringers. He received the Donald E. Allured Original Composition Award for 2011. Jeffers Publishing Company named Michael Composer of the Year for 2004 for his composition Dorian Dance. Michael also served two terms as the Secretary for Area 2 of the Handbell Musicians of America.

JASON KRUG

Jason W. Krug (b. 1978) is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana.  He holds a degree in music from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Jason is a full-time freelance composer, arranger, clinician, and teacher.  Since his first publication in 2006, he’s had over 400 compositions and arrangements accepted for handbells, piano, strings, organ, and choir.  His works have been featured at numerous festivals and workshops in the United States and beyond.  He is also the owner of and editor for Grassy Meadow Music, which publishes sheet music for handbells, piano, and strings.

In his spare time, Jason enjoys writing.  He has spent several years working on a young adult fantasy series, The Sadonian Chronicles, and recently released his first non-fiction book, The General Theory of Creativity.  He frequently participates in the National Novel Writing Month event in November.Jason continues to live in Indianapolis with his wife Ellen and his sons Daniel and Malcolm.  You can find him on the web at jasonwkrug.com and grassymeadowmusic.com.

RON MALLORY

Ron Mallory has been playing, directing, and composing for handbells for more than 25 years. In addition to his work as a composer/arranger, Ron runs Martellato Media, which produces handbell demos and music for multimedia projects, and Paraboloid Press, a music and arts publishing company. Ron has extensive experience directing handbells in the church, school, and community choir settings. He has more than 250 handbell pieces in print and has won multiple composition contests. Ron has served as guest conductor at numerous festivals and teaches regularly at local and national handbell conferences. Outside of music, Ron’s primary interest is astronomy, and he is actively involved in science education. Many of his musical compositions are written on astronomical themes.

Ron has a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in music composition from California State University, Long Beach. He currently lives in Mulvane, KS with his wife Emily and their children, Vivian, Miles, and Rigel. A lifelong Christian, Ron is always working to grow in his relationship with God. For more about Ron and his music, visit ronmallorymusic.com.

MICHÈLE SHARIK

Michèle Sharik rings professionally with Sonos Handbell Ensemble, is the founding Artistic Director of Timbré, and is an internationally-renowned handbell soloist, conductor, and teacher. She designed and is the Master Teacher of the Handbell Techniques curriculum for HMA’s Handbell Musician Certification program.

In addition to degrees in computer programming, visual and performing arts, and music technology, she has a masters certificate in Performing Arts Medicine and is a fervent “evangelist” for safe ringing techniques.

KAREN VAN WERT

Karen Van Wert started her music ministry at the age of 4 singing in the St. Paul Lutheran Church children’s choir in Hampton, Iowa. Her love of music and her Lord continues to grow and has followed her around the world.

Karen was introduced to handbells as a charter member of the St. Stephen handbell choir, Bloomington, MN. As she developed her solo ringing and bell tree skills, she has expanded her performances to include travel throughout Minnesota, Iowa and Europe.

In addition to ringing, Karen shares her handbell passion by offering classes and coaching. As an accredited level one certification instructor, Karen has taught numerous classes at Handbell Musicians of America Area VII Festivals and National Seminar. She hosted the inaugural Into the Forest, a gathering of bell tree ringers to share knowledge and goals. Handbells also are a frequent subject of Karen’s camera and creativity making handbell themed jewelry, greeting cards clothing and more.

Karen and bell boy, James Fuchs, make their home in Savage, MN.

KATHLEEN WISSINGER

Director, Educator, Composer, Publisher, Ringer, Clinician – Kath is all about the bells…and bell people! Known for her creative teaching style, clear directing and engaging compositions, she has led events across the US and in Canada and Japan. She directs Mosaic (a community ensemble) and Gloria Dei (an adult church group). Eighteen years of teaching handbells in the classroom spurred Kath to develop “Square One,” a complete curriculum for first-year ringers. With over 200 pieces in print, Kath loves exploring a wide range of ringing possibilities – Level 1 to Level 5; concert, worship, school, festival; Bell Tree-Solo-Duet-Quartet-Full Ensemble; pedagogical works; hymns and songs that incorporate handbells…. you name it! Recently, she started a publishing company “ringTrue” that allows her to release these plus niche pieces and works in multiple settings or keys. Kath coordinates the CHIME Loan program for Area 3, served on the Area 3 Board for 8 years, often serves as a mentor to ringers, directors and composers (in person and on Zoom) and helps organize new events. A former National Park Service Ranger with a degree in geology, she lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia where she has taught piano lessons for 30+ years and makes world-famous bread & butter pickles. Contact her at Longwalk3@aol.com