Meet Our Ringers

Ringer Bios

Tracey Bowers, 2003

I started ringing bells 35 years ago in 5th grade. I really started to enjoy the art of ringing handbells when I joined the Alleluia Ringers at Concordia University, WI. As a charter member of MHE, I am glad to be able to keep my passion of ringing active.  I am also honored to be leading this wonderful group of ringers as the President.  I am the Accounting Manager at a private company in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. I enjoy scrapbooking, reading or riding bike in my spare time. I also enjoy spending time traveling or even just relaxing around the house with my husband, Brad.

Linda Carlson, 2003

I have been ringing bells on and off for over 30 years. I live in Wauwatosa with my husband, Mark, and our four children ages 19-25, who are all out of the house now. Very different for sure! Mark and I own 4 Sport Clips Haircuts located in Germantown, Pewaukee, Brookfield and West Allis. Our family has also enjoyed hosting AFS exchange students (9 of them!) and have transitioned to hosting German Interns at the Milwaukee German Immersion School. I guess we don't like an empty ouse! Being a charter member of MHE, I thoroughly enjoy this outlet for my love of music!

Lydia Clough, 2018

I am one of the newest ringers to MHE, but I've been ringing since I was a kid and it has always been a great way for me to play with great groups of people and have some fun! I also direct the Community United Methodist Church of Cedarburg Handbell Ensemble and am currently in my senior year of my undergrad in Music Education at UW - Milwaukee. I am so grateful to be in an ensemble that will help me grow and expand my knowledge of bell ringing and I hope I can learn some techniques to help with my own directing. 

Suzanne Hibbard, 2003

I have been involved in handbells for over twenty years as a ringer, director, teacher, clinician, sales rep and lover of bells. I am a charter member of MHE and the current Director of Music at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Franklin where I play for services and direct five choirs. I am also an Activity Director at Heritage Place, a senior apartment complex in Brookfield, where I recently started a senior chime choir. I reside in Franklin with my husband Steve, also a musician, and we are blessed with four children. 

Jana Larson, 2011

I began ringing handbells in fourth grade and haven't stopped. After playing and conducting bells as a student at St. Olaf College, I moved to Milwaukee in 2008 where I went to Concordia University Wisconsin and earned a Masters of Church Music in, what else? Handbells! I am a banker by day and also the handbell director at Fox Point Lutheran Church.  In my spare time, I enjoy exploring all the city has to offer, cheering on the Brewers, and hanging out with my dog, Luther.

Kristine Morano, 2006

I started playing handbells in 1994 with the handbell choir at St. John's Lutheran Church in Port Washington. While attending Concordia University for music education, I was a five-year member of the Alleluia Ringers. I now live in Fredonia and enjoy spending time with my husband, Tom, daughter, Mikayla, and son, Tyler.

Amy Mrosko, 2014

I fell in love with handbells during my time with the Alleluia Ringers as a student at CUW and have since enjoyed directing choirs at different churches.  I'm thrilled to be back in the Milwaukee area and to have the chance to ring with such a fabulous choir!  My time stays filled homeschooling five fabulous kids.

Stacey Nordmeyer, 2015

I have loved handbells for as long as I can remember and am thrilled to be a part of MHE! I learned to ring in 5th grade, rang all through high school, and toured with my choir both my junior and senior years. After that, I began solo ringing and working with the chime choir at my church. Now, I direct one of the adult bell choirs at Unity Lutheran Church in Brookfield, where I’m also active in the music ministry, and I’m the Church Choral Editor for Hal Leonard Corporation. I’m married to Kevin, mom to Ryan, and in my spare time I enjoy traveling, reading, hiking, geo-caching and counted cross-stitch.

Carl Reyes, 2011

I am the Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Stephen Church, Oak Creek, where I direct vocal and handbell programs. A former music teacher, I have taught all ages in schools and community parks and recreation programs.  A transplant from Michigan after having performed with 'Classical Bells' of Detroit for ten years, I've enjoyed ringing with MHE and as a solo handbell performer for over 30 years. A resident of Bay View, I love gardening at home, church and for MKE Parks and Rec. as well as walking my dog, Buster, in  my  neighborhood. In 2013, my nine siblings and I traveled to Malta to discover our roots.

Christina Rios, 2019

I have been ringing bells for almost 30 years now.  I started with a group called Embellishments in the 5th grade.  We performed and recorded for an annual Indianapolis tradition Hoosier Holidays.  Handbells was my first true love in music.  I have played in 2 school choirs,  4 different church choirs, a community choir and various small ensembles.   After falling in love with handbells, I started with more instruments beginning with clarinet and bass clarinet. When I am not having fun with music, I am probably doing something involving my career which is culinary arts.  I am a supervisor with Advocate Aurora Healthcare in their food and nutrition services and I also have a small group called Food Nerdz where we travel around and critique restaurants just for fun.  I am super excited to join the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble this year and can't wait to see what the year brings. ​

Jennifer Scheler,
​2003-2012, 2015

I was first introduced to handbells in elementary school, continued ringing with the Alleluia Ringers at Concordia University, and was a charter member of MHE in 2003. Over the years, I have also been both ringer and director in church handbell choirs. As an agent with American Family Insurance, I have the privilege of protecting and restoring dreams in Wisconsin and neighboring states. I currently live in Pewaukee with my husband, Alex, and we have three grown children, all bell ringers.

Allison Schweitzer, 2019

I started ringing bells when I was a grade schooler at Mt. Olive Lutheran in Washington Heights, Milwaukee. I continued to ring there for a number of years, under the direction of Ralph Kohrs. I went on to study music at Valparaiso University and then Concordia University, at a graduate level; I did additional ringing at both places, alongside studying horn, piano and conducting. I have been directing bells in the Milwaukee area since 2012. Currently I am the Director of Handbell Ensembles at Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church. Outside of MHE I am a private music instructor on piano and horn, play semi-professionally on those instruments, and have a small concert series that I organize called Wisconsin Music Ventures. More info at www.allisonschweitzer.com.

Rachel Strand, 2006

I joined MHE shortly after graduating from Concordia University of Wisconsin where I rang with the Alleluia Ringers for four years. I currently work at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Mequon as their church administrator and handbell director. My husband, Carl, and I are caretakers on the farm where we reside with our two children, Silas and Leah.  Besides music, I enjoy photography, animals, gardening, organizing, candy crush and spending time with family and friends.

Katie Wierer, 2008

I began playing handbells in grade school and became hooked when I had the privilege of playing with the Alleluia Ringers at CUW. After playing with the Madison Area Concert Handbells while away at school, I returned home to Milwaukee and began working at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin as a pharmacist. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Jay, and children, Ellie, Josie and Theo, reading and playing with our two pet rabbits.

Former Ringers

* Founding Member
^ Current Member

2003-2004

Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Lauren Delancy *
Jarrod (JR) Fenner *
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Iris Jastram *
Shelley Lund *
Michael Moeder *
Jennifer Scheler *^
Karen Stabelfeldt *
Kimberly Williams *

2004-2005

Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Lauren Delancy *
Patrick Delancy
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Iris Jastram *
Shelley Lund *
Jennifer Scheler *^
Karen Stabelfeldt *
Melodee Vogt
Kimberly Williams *

2005-2006

Allison Bessert
Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Karen Canapa
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Jennifer Scheler *^
Karen Stabelfeldt *
Melodee Vogt

2006-2007

Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Erin Junger
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^ 
Rachel Strand ^
Melodee Vogt

2007-2008

Karla Bessert *
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Erin Junger
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^
Rachel Strand ^
Melodee Vogt

2008-2009

Beth Bawden
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Michael Grosnick
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Erin Junger
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^ 
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^

2009-2010

Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Michael Grosnick
Shannon Grosnick
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Corey Janssen
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^

2010-2011

Ken Blake
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Laura Ellwein
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Michael Grosnick
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Penny Kindraka 
Shelley Lund *
Joshua Moeller 
Kristine Morano ^
Jennifer Scheler *^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^

2011-2012

Ken Blake
Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Debbie Frick *
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Penny Kindraka 
Jana Larson ^
Kristine Morano ^
Carl Reyes ^
Anne Reynolds 
Jennifer Scheler *^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^

2012-2014

Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Penny Kindraka
Jana Larson ^
Jason Lewerenz 
Joshua Moeller 
Kristine Morano ^
Carl Reyes ^
Anne Reynolds
Kelli Stenklyft ​
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^
Gwen Wiethorn

2018-2019

Tracey Bowers *
Linda Carlson *
Lydia Clough
Kaethe Grabenhofer *
Suzanne Hubbard *
Jana Larson 
Jennifer Scheler *
Kristine Morano 
Amy Mrosko 
Stacey Nordmeyer 
Carl Reyes 
Christina Rios
​Allison Schweitzer
​Kelli Stenklyft
Rachel Strand 
Katie Wierer 
​

2014-2016

Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson*^
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Suzanne Hibbard *^
Joshua Kramer
Jana Larson ^
Jason Lewerenz
Jennifer Scheler *^
Joshua Moeller
Kristine Morano ^
Amy Mrosko ^
Stacey Nordmeyer ^
Carl Reyes ^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^
Heide Young

2016-2018

Tracey Bowers *^
Linda Carlson *^
Kaethe Grabenhofer *^
Jamie Haack
Suzanne Hubbard *^
Jana Larson ^
Jason Lewerenz
Jennifer Scheler *^
Joshua Moeller
Kristine Morano ^
Amy Mrosko ^
Stacey Nordmeyer ^
Carl Reyes ^
Rachel Strand ^
Katie Wierer ^
Heide Young