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The Houston Bronze Ensemble,
Inc. |
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Click here for a Press Kit
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Current MembersCatherine Bost(January 2008)* began ringing handbells as a 4th grader. Much of what she knows about handbells she credits to another member of HBE, Ruth Seiwell. Catherine works in Special Education in Pearland ISD and sings and rings at Friendswood United Methodist Church. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Texas Conference Choir Clinic. Catherine lives in Clear Lake with her husband, Lee, stepson, Trace, and their kitties, Lil’ Boy, Lil’ Girl, and Diego.Judy Clayton (February 2002) retired from ExxonMobil after 40 years of service. She is an active participant in the music program at Houston’s First Baptist Church where she has worked with children’s choirs, rings with the bell choir, and sings with the adult choir. Judy is married to Duffy (yes, that’s his real name!) and has one son, Steven, who loves to be an HBE “roadie.” Now that she is retired, Judy plans to catch up on her reading and wants to spend time traveling. Jerry Conry (January 2004) graduated from East Texas State University with a degree in Music Education and later returned to obtain a Masters in Business Administration. Jerry lived and worked in the United Kingdom for 7 years, where he rang with the Hamilton Ringers who represented the UK in the opening ceremony of the International Handbell Symposium, performed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and appeared on BBC television. He works as a Contract Administrator for the Department of Defense. Tom EllerbrockEllerbrock (August 2008) has been with HBE for two years. When Tom is not engrossed in University of Texas (UT) sports or marching with the UT Alumni Band each fall, his full time profession is a Project Controls Engineer for Plains All American Pipeline in downtown Houston. He is also a member of the Friendswood United Methodist Church’s orchestra, Wesleyan handbell choir and Festival Ringers 4-in-hand quartet. Tom’s wife, Patricia, and two sons, Jacob and Zachary, are the support staff that keep him going. Michael Fine(January 2009) began ringing handbells in the 4th grade and played until his high school graduation. He took a sabbatical from handbells during college at LeTourneau University, where he graduated with a degree in Human Resources Management. Michael is a Project Manager for Reynolds and Reynolds, a software company in northwest Houston. During his leisure time, Michael enjoys ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and volleyball. Michael is newly married to Shaynee with a beautiful wedding on a windy day in March! Monica Fowler(February 2006) stays busy running Sing & Play Fine Arts Studio in Pearland, TX, where she teaches Kindermusik, piano and strings. She is the accompanist for Faith Community Church in Pearland where she is an active leader of the praise team and the director for Bells of Praise handbell choir. Monica also serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Handbell Association. She loves to spend time hanging out with her wonderful husband, Matt, the most precious kids in the world, Evelyn and Zeke, and their adorable kitten, Maddie. Meredith Gaines(August 2009) joins HBE after picking up a handbell for the first time over 25 years ago. Through these years, she graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, with a BFA degree in Theatrical Performing Arts. She also spent time as an actress, a pre-kindergarten teacher, a cake decorator, a data-entry clerk, and a bank manager. All the while, she remains a musician at heart, continuing to ring handbells, sing, play piano, and most recently learning the cello. She lives in the Spring area where she directs the Resounding Praise Handbell Choir of Resurrection Lutheran Church. She loves family time with her husband, Travis, and her precocious daughter, Madisyn. Cindy Haskett(February 2006) is a retired teacher from Katy ISD, where she taught 7th and 8th grade math and algebra for 25 years. She rings handbells and sings in the choir at Houston’s First Baptist Church. Cindy and her husband, Bill, both work part-time in KISD and enjoy traveling and spending time with their daughter, Kristen. Cindy also likes to cook and is an avid scrapbooker. Deanne Leonard(August 2008) directs the handbell choir at The Woodlands United Methodist Church where she also sings in the choir and serves as substitute organist. She is a retired community college professor (teaching medical terminology, transcription, and coding) and church organist. Deanne and her husband enjoy the blessings and joys that come from providing daycare for three grandchildren. Bernadette Maness(January 2007) is a native Texan and retired dental hygienist. When not ringing, she enjoys gardening and tending a small backyard orchard. Bernadette and her husband, Steve, have two grown sons, Sean and Chase, a pond full of fish, and a beloved cat, Miss Kitty, who just reached the age of majority – 19 years old! Bernadette occasionally puts together a chime group to bring the delightful sound of music to friends and neighbors. Lorna Noack(August 2004) grew up on a farm in northern Illinois and still misses four distinct seasons! She graduated from Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska, with a B.S. in Elementary/Special Education. Lorna rings in the Jubilate Deo handbell choir and assists with the children’s handbell choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring. She is happily married to Ken and is mom to Kristin, Kyle, and Bethany. With the oldest two children already graduated from Texas A&M University and the youngest accepted to begin studying there in the fall, Lorna is a true Aggie mom! Ruth Seiwell(August 1999) is the Handbell Camp Director for Texas Conference Choir Clinic and serves on the Board of Directors for AGEHR Area IX as the Membership Chair. She holds Bachelor and Masters degrees from North Texas State University. Educated as a chemist and clinical pharmacologist, she now works by day as the Practice Manager for a pediatric medical practice. She and her husband, Bob, almost have enough ringers for a family ensemble, with each child and grandchild ringing as they are old enough. She is the mom half of the mom-daughter pair ringing in Houston Bronze. Michelle Shuman(February 2001) is a pediatrician with Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates. After a handbell break during medical school and residency, she joined HBE in 2001. Michelle is a fanatical Kansas State Wildcat fan; she also plays violin in the Doctor’s Orchestra of Houston and enjoys participating in medical mission trips to Honduras twice a year. Amanda Weyrick(August 2009) is a new arrival to the Houston area, coming from the beautiful city of Austin. She has been ringing handbells since the 8th grade, taking a brief sabbatical during her time living in Germany. Currently, Amanda teaches 3rd grade at Pilgrim Lutheran School where her students keep her on her toes. She is married to her wonderful husband, Lee, has two rowdy kittens, and loves getting sucked into a good book. *Indicates the date the ringer joined Houston Bronze Ensemble. |