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.

Susan Eshelman started playing clarinet and singing in church at an early age; then she added flute, sax and handbells by the time she attended Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA. In 2000, Susan joined the Dover Presbyterian Bells of Praise. She recently graduated from Wilmington University with a B.S. in Behavioral Science, and is a Long-Term Support Services case manager for Amerihealth Caritas Delaware.

Mimi Dupont spent years writing newspaper reportage and features, advertising and PR, organizational documents, state and national grant proposals, parent notes to teachers, and a doctoral dissertation. She now writes poetry and personal essays, is a hospice vigil volunteer, and rings handbells at St. Martha’s Episcopal Church. She lives halfway between Dagsboro and the eastern edge of the continent.

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.

David Garrett has rung bells with Camp Hill (PA) UMC, more recently has played trombone with the Rehoboth Concert Band, and currently sings with the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus. He is a member of Epworth UMC, Rehoboth Beach, has his Bachelor’s degree from Messiah College and his Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Originally from Central PA, he and his wife have been full-time residents of Rehoboth since June, 2015.

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.

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.

Clay Monroe is a graduate of Towson University, Towson, MD.  He is a 44 year Insurance Broker in Lewes, Delaware, specializing in Senior Health Medicare Products. Clay played several low brass instruments in high school and college years, and has played handbells since 1992 with “First Towne Ringers” of Bethel UMC, Lewes, Delaware.

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.

Janet Saunders has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and retired from teaching in 2002.   She started playing handbells as part of a faculty group at Wake Christian Academy in Raleigh, NC in 1995, and has played bells at High Point Baptist Chapel in Pennsylvania, and at Colonial Baptist Church in North Carolina.  She currently sings in ensembles, and teaches Sunday School at Sussex County Bible Church in Harbeson, Delaware.

Leslie Smoyer began ringing in 1993 at Good Shepherd UCC, Boyertown, PA.  She currently rings with Long Neck UMC in Long Neck, Delaware.  Leslie has earned a Special Education /Elementary Education degree from Kutztown University, PA, and a Master’s degree from Cabrini College, PA.  She has been teaching for 13 years in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

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.