Bells of the Sound



		2009 Roster: Shirley Lindberg \| Scott Barker \| Patrice Briggs Vanessa Dziuba-Wilkie \| Rich Irish \| Elliot Lewis Jillian McBride \| Wendy McPhetres \| Jill McVey Lisa Mjorud \| Sue Perkins \| Phyllis Rowland Jennifer Vangolen \|Bryant Wilkie \| Matt Winningham
		Shirley Lindberg was a ringing member of BOTS for 6 years, and is now on the other side of the table. An accomplished pianist, she often performs solo and as an accompanist at Tibbetts United Methodist Church, where she also directs several handbell choirs. Yes, music pretty much is her life! She works for Perkins Coie LLP, an international law firm. Shirley, husband Myron and son David, also a gifted musician, live in West Seattle.

		Scott Barker, born and raised in Seattle, began ringing bells in 1976. He currently directs the handbell program at First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue. Scott works as operations manager for Pravda Studios, a commercial video production and photography studio in downtown Seattle. Scott and wife Ann have three children: Ryan and Christine, recent graduates from Western Washington University; and Emily, a college student in Bellingham. Scott is Area X Chair of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR).

		Patrice Briggs is a database programmer at Seattle Children’s Hospital, which holds a special place in her heart. She has been with Bells of the Sound for 7 years. Patrice and husband Dave have three children: Scott, a junior at UW; Bobby, who is looking at colleges in Patrice’s home state of Texas; and Carley, a rising dance star. Patrice loves discovering new music (classical, jazz and more) and just about anything chocolate (it’s a food group, right?).

		Vanessa Dziuba-Wilkie moved to Seattle in 2006 to attend medical school at Bastyr University. She’s rung bells for 7 years and joined Bells of the Sound a year ago. Originally from the east coast (Queens, NY and Lancaster, PA), Vanessa is now enjoying the beautiful evergreens of the Pacific Northwest and its lack of heat and humidity. While working on her degree in music in 1999, our professional student spent a quarter in Vienna, Austria, studying piano at the conservatory. Vanessa is married to fellow ringer, Bryant Wilkie.

		Rich Irish is a financial analyst with Community Health Plan of Washington. Born and raised in Eugene, OR, he moved to Seattle in 2002, wasted no time auditioning with Bells of the Sound and has been ringing with us since 2003. He has directed a handbell choir in Eugene and is a past member of Portland’s premier handbell ensemble, Bells of the Cascades. Rich loves all types of music, and on a recent trip to “the city of lights”, was treated to pipe organ performances in some of Paris’ beautiful old churches.

		Elliot Lewis was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and began ringing handbells in 5th grade. He attended Yale University where he sang and toured the world with the Whiffenpoofs and still managed to graduate with degrees in computer science and math. Elliot moved to Seattle in 2002 and is a software developer at Microsoft. He loves being close to the ocean and mountains and enjoys the area’s many wonderful micro-brews. In his spare time Elliot performs with The Baudboys, an a cappella group at Microsoft, plays volleyball and softball, and chases his dog Sadie around his house.

		Jillian McBride‘s mom, Kristie McBride, was a founding member of Bells of the Sound and Jillian is proud to follow in her footsteps. Jillian lives in Seattle and attends the University of Washington. She began ringing bells when she was 5 years old at Kent First Baptist Church and she remains active in their handbell program, which is still under the direction of her mom. In her spare time, Jillian loves to play ice hockey, snowboard, wakeboard, surf, and ride motorcycles.

		Wendy McPhetres began ringing bells at the age of 10 and has been with Bells of the Sound since 2001. An accomplished pianist, she is the choir director at Mountain View Middle School in Bremerton with 350 eager students. This year she is teaching a handchime class for the first time to more than 30 6th graders. In 2009, Wendy and some of her students will travel to Italy to participate in a choral festival and to tour. Wendy, originally from Alaska, enjoys being close to mountains, ocean and the city of Seattle.

		Jill McVey started ringing handbells in 7th grade with the Arctic Spirit Handbell Choir in Anchorage, Alaska. She continued with this group though high school and as a senior arranged and performed a solo medley of Beatles songs. Jill is pleased to be ringing with Bells of the Sound as she makes her new home in West Seattle with her husband and two cats. Jill works as a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and wedding DJ. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and sleeping.

		Lisa Mjorud has been ringing bells since 1992 and has been with Bells of the Sound for four years. She works part-time as an Administrative Assistant for two otolaryngologists (ear, nose & throat doctors) in Renton. She and her husband (former member, Matt Winningham) recently bought a house in Tacoma, just 14 blocks from where Lisa grew up. She and Matt have a 2 year old son, Erik, who keeps them aware of all trucks, wheels and fans. At 3 months, Erik had his picture taken inside the G1; at one year, he was photographed next to the G1; by next year they hope he'll be able to ring it!

		Sue Perkins has been with Bells of the Sound for 3 years and has rung bells for more than 30. She began her ringing career in Southern California when she convinced (aka begged) director Ginny Fleming she should teach Sue how to read music. Since that time, she also learned to play the flute, glockenspiel, and xylophone. In 2000, Sue relocated to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and doesn't miss the heat of her long time home, Northern California, in the least. She recently received her Bachelors degree in Legal Studies from Central Washington University, and she is currently at Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle. When not ringing or traveling with family and friends, Sue enjoys knitting and making beautiful jewelry.

		Phyllis Rowland has been with Bells of the Sound for one year, after beginning her ringing career 7 years ago. Her other career – in the US Air Force – took her to such far flung places as Okinawa, the Philippines, the Azores and (finally - not an island!) southern Spain. Currently she works as a benefits specialist and recruiter with local non-profit Family Services. When not ringing bells or gardening or, well, working, Phyllis can be found at the Century Ballroom dancing salsa, merengue and bachata.

		Jennifer Vangolen started ringing almost 30 years ago in Hackettstown, New Jersey, after convincing the director to let her even though she was not the requisite 10 years old. She commutes by ferry every day to SunGard Higher Education on Vashon Island, where her current job title is Advisory Consultant (which seems to mean do whatever needs to be done now!) Jennifer has lived in Seattle since 1995 and spends her spare time traveling, riding roller coasters, biking and playing with her kittens, Pim and Maaike.

		Bryant Wilkie is a native Seattleite and has been ringing handbells for more than 25 years. He is the handbell director at St Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue. Bryant has degrees in business administration and the culinary arts, and he takes advantage of the Pacific Northwest’s hills and mountains by cycling and hiking in his spare time. He and Vanessa plan an April wedding in Pennsylvania.

		Matt Winningham has been ringing for the last 21 years, give or take a few months and it has taught him to read bass clef, play more than one bell in each hand, and have fun doing all of it! Matt has a bachelor's degree from Central Washington University in business administration and is currently an employee of the Federal Government (if you want to know with what department, you will have to ask him). He is enjoying having a Monday through Friday job after working in retail for over 11 years. Matt is married to Bells of the Sound member, Lisa Mjorud, and they have a rambunctious 2 year old son, Erik. They live in Tacoma and are enjoying the thrills of first-time home ownership.


		*Bells of the Sound* PO Box 46606 Seattle, WA 98146 info@bellsofthesound.org