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 Powers has lived in Dover for the past decade. 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.

Laura Crosby rang for many years, off and on, with the Charles Town Presbyterian Church hand bell choirs. A graduate of Shepherd College (now University) in WV with a BA in Music Education K-12, Laura taught intermediate music for 38 years in Charles Town, WV, as well as being an accompanist for several school choirs in the county. She also has been a church organist. Laura and her family have vacationed in Rehoboth since 1987, and made the permanent move in 2019. She and her husband Bing live in Rehoboth Beach, and their son and his family followed, making Milton their home.

Gerald Egger comes to Capital Ringers via Bay2Bay Ringers. He first played handbells in the 80s in his church, then off and on ever since. He also plays piano and trombone and has sung in a barbershop chorus. Jerry and his wife graduated from seminary after raising their three children. He is now retired to Millville, having served Presbyterian churches in northwest Indiana, Ocean View, Delaware, and Georgetown, Delaware.

Margaret Edwards began ringing handbells in church while in high school and has rung on and off at various churches since then. She started her musical endeavors with piano, followed with saxophone, oboe, and bassoon. Margaret graduated from Towson University with a BS degree in music performance. Today, she still plays the oboe. Margaret grew up in Maryland, then moved to Pennsylvania, and has recently relocated to Delaware. Margaret lives in Millsboro with her husband, Keith, and works as a paralegal.

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.

Marianne Fike is a second-year ringer with St. Ann’s Bell Choir in Bethany Beach. She also sings and plays piano with the Contemporary Music Ensemble at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Frankford. She has a Masters in Acupuncture from Maryland University of Integrative Health and works as an acupuncturist in Ocean View, Delaware. She enjoys the beauty of nature, animals, music, and eating good food.

Christine Fox-Roberts has been ringing handbells for over 40 years, and enjoys performing with advanced ensembles including Virtuoso, Distinctly Bronze East and The Ringing Nativity. She has also participated in The Great Christmas Ring at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. She graduated with a DMD degree from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, and practices as a general dentist in Bethany Beach. She and her husband enjoy traveling and spending time with their dogs Bell and Copper.

Steve Hallsted played handbells with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wilmington for 19 years where he was also a choir member and featured baritone soloist. He is a currently a choir member with Community Lutheran Church. Steve is a University of Delaware graduate and retired insurance agency owner. He serves as Music and Events Support Team Leader for the Capital Ringers.

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 a retired Navy Nurse Corps Officer. He first rang with the handbell choir of the Metropolitan Community Church while stationed in Washington, DC.

Harriet Marisa attended a Capital Ringers Orientation in January 2020 and decided to try ringing for the first time. She joined the Bay2 Bay group for beginning to intermediate ringers, and joined Capital Ringers in January 2021. She took nine years of piano lessons. She is the organization’s Administrative Support Team Leader.

Clay Monroe is a graduate of Towson University, Towson, Md. He has been an insurance broker for 47 years, specializing in senior health Medicare products. He lives in Lewes. Clay played several low brass instruments in high school and college years, and has played handbells since 1992 with “First Towne Ringers” of Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes.

Judy Moore has been involved with handbell choirs, ensembles and festivals for more than 50 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. She attended a Capital Ringers Christmas concert at Milton Theater and was excited to join Capital Ringers in 2019. Judy has played the flute and piano. She is the Member Support Team Leader for Capital Ringers. In her spare time she enjoys her 7 grandchildren, kayaking, pickleball and traveling.

Carol Pillsbury has rung with handbell choirs in New Jersey,Pennsylvania and Florida. She currently rings at St. Peters Episcopal Church in Lewes and chimes at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth Beach. Carol holds a bachelors degree in Microbiology from Douglass College (Rutgers University) and retired to Lewes 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.

Born and raised in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, Leslie Smoyer graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education/Elementary Education. Later she received a Master’s Degree in Education from Cabrini College. Leslie began playing bells in 1993 with her church bell choir and joined Capital Ringers in the fall of 2018. She lives in Greenwood, Delaware, with her husband, Bill and three dogs; Cooper, Molly and Rudy.

Lynne Wilmer is a retired educator from Baltimore City Public Schools with 47years of service. She also served as church musician and choir director for 36 years in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Millsboro, Delaware. Lynne has rung with the Grace UMC Grace Notes in Millsboro, the Memorial Bell Choir at Epworth UMC and currently rings with the Bell Choir at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes. Ringing is her passion!

Nancy Yost is from Houston, Delaware, and is a retired teacher from the Milford school district. She has played the organ since the age of 5 and has played special music in many churches and weddings. She started ringing bells in 2006 and joined Capital Ringers in 2012. She plays in the bell choir at Avenue Methodist Church in Milford. She earned an associates degree in Behavioral Science and a BA in Elementary Education.