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.

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.

Tricia Delnay started ringing handbells in church at age 7 and played in several church handbell groups while living in Ohio. She also enjoyed playing the violin with several orchestras throughout junior high and high school and has learned to play the piano as an adult. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Akron and a master’s and doctoral degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh. She moved to Dover in 2020 for work. On the weekends, she enjoys spending time volunteering with her certified therapy dog.

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 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.

Betsy Gray has  sung in choirs all her life and has attended many worship and music conferences led by bell clinicians from David Harris, Jason Krug and Donald Allured back in the 70s. She lives in Clayton with her husband, Jimmy.

She has been ringing bells since 1974. She missed ringing and returned to Capital Ringers; she also directs the Bells of Praise from the Presbyterian Chuch of Dover.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Diane Trautman began directing handbells at her church in 1979. She did her undergraduate work at the New England Conservatory of Music and St Mary’s College, and her graduate work at Westminster Choir College and Towson University. She taught choral music, handbells, and drama in St Mary’s County, Maryland for 33 years. Since coming to Sussex County she became involved with both community theatre and now the Capital Ringers.

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.

Ken Schleifer, Percussionist

ken

Ken is retired after 38 years as the elementary instrumental music teacher for the Indian River and Cape Henlopen school districts, he now enjoys sharing the joy of making music with his many musical friends.

Ken has performed as a drummer/percussionist for many musical organizations around the Delmarva Region including the Possum Point Players, Bay Star Productions, Clear Space Theater Company, The Southern Delaware Choral Society, Paul Cullen & Friends, the Al Frantic Band, CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, the Milton Musical Theatre Production Company, and the Capital Ringers.

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