The Ringers
Jordan Allen
Jordan is a native of Plainsboro, N.J. and a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, where he received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Music Education. His love of handbells began at university where he rang with The Westminster Concert Bell Choir under the direction of Professor Kathleen Ebling-Shaw. It was there he participated in multiple tours across the country sharing his love for handbells. Jordan is currently the Chorus Director and Music teacher at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School. He is so happy to be continuing to play and enjoy the art of ringing handbells with this ensemble.
Julia Beckmann
Julia first learned to ring bells in high school when her piano teacher, Robyn, started a handbell choir at the First United Methodist Church in Amityville, NY. While attending Westminster Choir College, Julia rang with the Westminster Bell Choir, directed by Kathy Ebling-Shaw. She also used to ring with the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble (PHE). For work, Julia teaches elementary general music at Princeton Day School. She currently lives in Princeton, NJ with her husband Noah, dog, Spirit and cat, Thelonious. She is very excited to ring with Philadelphia Bronze this year!
Karen Cameron
Karen began ringing with the Doylestown Presbyterian Church Youth Bell choir in 1979 and is still ringing there today in the adult choir. She has also rung with the short-lived Dickinson College Handbell Choir which was supported by the Allison United Methodist Church of Carlisle, PA. It was here that she learned that ensemble and solo ringing provided more ringing opportunities. Upon graduation with a Mathematics degree and Computer Science minor, she worked at Merck in the IT department supporting the Human Health Division for 10 years then retired to raise her two children who are now in college and are both handbell ringers. In addition to the bells, Karen also played the clarinet in school. Outside of music, she enjoys cooking, reading, birding, and trips down the shore to Ocean City, NJ.
Judy Chang Cody
In her fifth year with the Philadelphia Bronze and her eleventh as a handbell ringer, Judy Cody has finally found her calling as a musician! Her musical journey began with piano lessons at age 4 and then expanded to include serving as an accompanist with various choirs and pit orchestras, singing in numerous ensembles, and playing clarinet, including 12 years with the Doylestown Presbyterian Church Orchestra. Although her own musical endeavors took a hiatus while raising her four children, Judy made it a priority to ensure that her kids were well versed as musicians. One of her greatest joys was having the opportunity to perform with three of them in the DPC Orchestra. Outside of music, Judy works as the Chief Strategy Officer for a medical eye care start-up and serves on several non-profit boards.
Bill Gardner
Bill joined Philadelphia Bronze this year but has been ringing in ensembles, quartets, and duets with Princeton United Methodist Church for over 20 years. His start in music was on trumpet, and he has had the opportunity to perform in various symphonic and jazz ensembles around the world, including Disney World (Florida), England, Korea, Japan (including on the snow cap of Mt Fuji), and the JVC Jazz Festival in Newport RI. Bill is a Technology Advisory Consultant by day and enjoys soccer, hockey, and golf in his free time.
Sarah Hazel
Sarah began ringing with the Dorothy Shaw Handbell Choir when she was 10 years old where she played for 3 seasons. After college, she joined the adult world of bells and has never looked back! She directed the JuBellate Ringers at League City United Methodist Church in League City, TX for 3 years prior to coming to Pennsylvania. Here in Philadelphia, she has played with the Ringers of Bryn Mawr, was a charter member of the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, and is excited to be in her tenth season with Philadelphia Bronze! She lives with her long-time partner Gordon and 6 furbabies. Her “pays the bills” job is in Medical Billing and Coding, and she serves as Philadelphia Bronze's Business Manager as well as serving as Chair on The Area 2 Board of The Handbell Musicians of America.
Kristen Jamison
Kristen is excited to be with the Philadelphia Bronze! Returning for her sixth season, and second as President, she is looking forward to taking on the challenges that come from ringing with an elite group. She has been ringing with her hometown choir for over 15 years and has attended numerous Area II and Area III handbell festivals. Outside of handbells, Kristen works as a project manager for a Fortune 500 company and enjoys cheering on the Nittany Lions. WE ARE!
Jennifer Kimock
Jennifer is thrilled to be with Philadelphia Bronze for her second season! Jennifer first started ringing bells with her church choir when she was in junior high school and was immediately hooked. While attending Westminster Choir College she joined the training bell choir as a freshman and then rang for three years as a member of the Concert Bell Choir under the direction of Kathy Ebling Shaw. Since graduating she has been a member of Reverberations Bell Ensemble, Westminster Alumni Bell Choir, briefly conducted a church bell choir and has done some solo ringing. Jennifer has been an elementary vocal music teacher in the Pennsbury School District for over 25 years and also maintains a small private piano studio. She is married to David Kimock, whom she met at Westminster and they have two grown children who have also found their passion within the performing arts. Outside of music Jennifer enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with family.
Marcia Murphy
Marcia Murphy first picked up a bell in 5th grade, and from that point, there was no turning back. She has had the privilege of ringing with the Rooke Chapel Ringers, under the direction of Dr. William Payn while attending Bucknell University. She is also a past member of the renowned Raleigh Ringers under the direction of David Harris, for whom she has arranged several of their signature Rockin' Raleigh Ringers pieces. Marcia has one published arrangement as well. Aside from handbells, Marcia also sings soprano and plays piano. She works as a counselor and is active in her church on the worship team and working with youth.
Cynthia Regan
Cynthia began ringing handbells over 30 years ago while at Westminster Choir College. A short time later, her whole world revolved around bells. Upon graduating from college, she was employed at Malmark Bellcraftsmen, where she initially worked in production/quality control, and now works in sales/customer service. She also directs the bell choirs at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Flemington, NJ., where she began solo ringing. When she's not ringing, she sings soprano with the Bucks County Choral Society.
Allen Regan
Allen has been ringing handbells for over 25 years at his church (St. Paul Lutheran Church in Flemington, NJ) and quite a few with Philadelphia Bronze. Under the direction of his wife, Cynthia, he has honed his skills as a bass bell ringer, but can be seen in the treble end from time to time. Allen works as a Senior Technical Business Analyst for PMA Companies, an insurance company in Blue Bell PA, working on the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) team as well as the Microsoft Power Platform administration. Allen is the webmaster for Philadelphia Bronze and is an avid homebrewer in his spare time.
Linda Schumann
Linda hails from Pittsburgh, PA where she began ringing with her church choir almost 30 years ago. She is proud to say she directed the adult handbell choir at Trinity Lutheran Church there, and after moving to Doylestown in 1999 was immediately welcomed into the Tommy Shead Memorial handbell choir at Doylestown United Methodist Church. While there, she did occasional solo and small ensemble ringing and directed three youth choirs before moving on to ring with Doylestown Presbyterian Church where she and her family are members. She is beginning her 6th year with Philly Bronze and has enjoyed every minute with these talented musicians!
Allison Snyder
Allison has been ringing with Philadelphia Bronze for one season and loves ringing with such an elite group. Her handbell journey began more than 15 years ago with Girard Presbyterian Church’s Memorial Handbell Choir. She currently rings as a substitute with the handbell choir at Doylestown Presbyterian Church. She enjoys learning new handbell techniques and improving her skills. She is a family physician by day and loves catering to her 5 cats, crafting, and traveling with her husband Chris and their two college-aged children when not working or ringing.
