Our musicians

​Heather Beauchamp has rung with the Heavenly Ringers of Asbury United Methodist Church, Harrington, Delaware since 2005. She was raised in Harrington, and she works in her childhood school district, Lake Forest, as a school psychologist. Heather graduated from Washington College, Chestertown, MD, and Indiana University of PA.

Born and raised in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Anastasia Berrier has lived in Dover for the past nine years. She graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, with a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and a Masters in Forensic Science. Anastasia rang with the Shamroig Ringers at Trinity High School in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and St. Anselm Catholic Church in Pittsburgh. She is back in the handbells game after a 15-year hiatus!

Leigh Anne Fake has been ringing handbells in church since 1999. She was born, raised and continues to live in Seaford. Leigh Anne is a high school counselor. She earned a BS degree from Salisbury University and a Masters in Education from Wilmington University.

​Christine Fox-Roberts played flute, piano, handbells and snare drum during her childhood, and was a music major in college until she pursued a Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in NJ.  Christine is a general dentist in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Steve Hallsted rang handbells for the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in North Wilmington for 19 years, and sang in the choir occasionally featured as a baritone soloist. Steve recently moved to the Millsboro area with his wife Elaine and their coonhound Bobbie. They have two grown children and three grandchildren. Steve is retired and enjoys travel, hiking, volunteering with the Lions Club, and sitting on the beach mostly reading nonfiction.

Barb Kieley is new to handbells but not to music.  She played saxophone in her youth, picking it up again a few years ago to join a community band in NY.  In late 2019, upon retiring and relocating to Delaware, she decided to try a different musical pursuit and joined the Bells of St. Matthew’s by the Sea in Fenwick Island.  After ringing only a few times she attended the Capital Ringers orientation session and is humbled and grateful to now be a part of this amazing group.

Karen Mahaffie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy, and teaching certifications in Elementary and Special Education.  In addition to handbells, she plays the flute. Currently she rings with the handbell choir of Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  Since retiring from teaching, Karen enjoys selling toys at Kids’ Ketch in Lewes, Delaware.

David Mangler began reading music and playing musical instruments at the age of 5.  He has played a variety of brass and woodwinds throughout elementary and high school years and was a church organist during high school.  He is retired from the Navy, is a Registered Nurse, and currently works for the State of Delaware.  He first rang with the handbell choir of the Metropolitan Community Church while stationed in Washington, D.C.

Judy Moore has been involved with handbell choirs, ensembles and festivals for over 40 years and is a member of the Handbell Musicians of America.  She earned her Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ.  Judy is retired from conducting the Delaware Choral Society and as Director of Music Ministry at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  She is currently conducting Bay2Bay Ringers for Capital Ringers.

Judy Peterson rang handbells at her church in Frederick, MD for 10 years before relocating to Millsboro, DE, where she rang with Grace Church. Judy is a graduate of Catholic University and Hood College and has spent 30 years working for non-profits including the American Red Cross in Frederick County and for the Chesapeake Region. Judy actively volunteers with the Red Cross Chesapeake Region Volunteer Services Team, writes a kayaking blog, and enjoys her 7 grandchildren.

Carol Pillsbury has been ringing handbells for 25 years. She took piano lessons early on and has rung with handbell choirs in New Kersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. She currently rings with the St. Peters handbell choir in Lewes. Carol has a bachelors degree in Microbiology from Douglass College (Rutgers Univ). She retired to Lewes in 2017 after a 34 year career with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

Niki Runge received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a music minor from Rutgers University in NJ and a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, and has been a board certified music therapist for over 25 years. She is the owner of Chesapeake Music Therapy in Salisbury, MD and also is a per diem music therapist with Coastal Hospice.  Niki plays piano, guitar and flute, and is currently a member of the Salisbury Community Band, and a worship team member at Salisbury Bible Fellowship in Salisbury, MD.

John Smeallie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and subsequently taught high school vocal music. He first rang handbells way back in junior high school and is delighted to have discovered the Capital Ringers. John retired in 2012 from a career in public school administration, having served most recently as Deputy State Superintendent of Schools for Maryland. He resides with his husband and their two dogs in Lewes, Delaware.

Lee Ann Walling became enthralled with handbells during a 2018 Capital Ringers’ performance of “Wizards in Winter.” She has played piano since third grade and now plays keyboards, bass guitar, electric guitar and ukelele. She also enjoys recording and mixing music. She is a former journalist and retired political appointee with the State of Delaware. She has a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the University of Delaware.

Lynne Wilmer is a retired educator from Baltimore City Public Schools with 47 years of service. She also served as church musician and choir director for 36 years in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Millsboro, Delaware.  Lynne began ringing with the Grace UMC Grace Notes in Millsboro and currently rings with the Epworth UMC bell choir.

Nancy Yost retired as a teacher from the Milford, Delaware school district after 17 years.  She has played the organ since the age of 5.  She started ringing bells in 2006 with the Reformation Lutheran Church in Milford, DE where she also sings in the church choir.