David Sherman (Chair-Elect)

I’m David Sherman, and I am excited to be running for Area 2 Chair-Elect, where I hope to continue supporting and strengthening our handbell community. I am a proud graduate of Westminster Choir College, where I earned both my Bachelor’s (2020) and Master’s (2021) degrees in Music Education. During my time at Westminster, I had the privilege of ringing in the Westminster Concert Bell Choir under the direction of Kathy Ebling Shaw for five and a half years, an experience that deeply shaped my musicianship and passion for the art of handbell ringing. I currently serve as the handbell director at Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church in Liberty Corner, NJ. With 18 years of ringing experience and 8 years of directing experience, I bring a lifelong dedication to the handbell community and a commitment to fostering growth, excellence, and connection within Area 2.

Jules Drewes (Chair-Elect)

Jules Drewes is a senior studying classical voice at Susquehanna University. She is a long-time lover of handbells and started playing at age 12. Jules is the director of both the Susquehanna University Handbell Choir and the Celebration Ringers at St. Paul’s UCC in Selinsgrove, PA. Alongside handbells, she is involved with the Susquehanna University Choir and Chamber Singers, WQSU Student Radio, and is a collegiate member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. Jules received an Associates in Performing Arts from Ocean County College in Toms River, New Jersey alongside her high school diploma. 

Jean Coniber (Secretary)

With an undergraduate degree in Management/Marketing and an MBA, Jean spent most of her career in data analysis and production logistics. She also has played handbells for about 40 years. When her director believed that Jean could play solos, she did her best to prove the director correct. Early semi-retirement allowed her to learn how to conduct. She now directs the handbell choirs at Bethany Presbyterian Church and Third Presbyterian Church, both in Rochester NY. She enjoys a variety of other volunteer activities at the church, tutoring reading and math and knitting.

Reylene Starego (Secretary)

Reylene is a graduate of Westminster Choir College and has done graduate work in choral music education at Florida State University and in theological studies at Moravian Theological Seminary and Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. She has been serving Lutheran (LCA and ELCA) congregations as organist and choir director since 1980 and has been conducting handbell choirs and ensembles since 1989. She has also taught general and choral music in New Jersey and Pennsylvania schools in various positions. She served as Director of Music for 19-1/2 years and Deacon for 17 years at St. Thomas in Brick, NJ, before taking up a new position in January of 2025 as Deacon and Director of Music at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Emmaus, PA. She resides with her husband Ray and son Anthony.

Shawn Gingrich (Treasurer)

Shawn Gingrich is Director of Music Ministry leading the choirs and praise team and serving as organist at First United Methodist Church, Hershey, PA. He holds undergraduate degrees from Lebanon Valley College, a Master of Music from Westminster Choir College, and the Doctor of Worship Studies at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. In addition to his church work, Shawn is artistic director of Hershey Handbell Ensemble which he founded in 2004. In addition to having served as treasurer for Area II for the past two years he also serves the Harrisburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Mt Gretna Tabernacle Association and Bible Festival as the finance officer

Kelsey Peterson (Treasurer)