Joyful Sound members

June is the founder and director of Joyful Sound. She has a music education degree and has directed youth, adult and intergenerational handbell choirs for the past 36+ years. June has served in many positions for Area 5 and served on the National Board for Handbell Musicians of America. She has taught classes for local, state, area and national events and has been a mass conductor for several local events. June recently retired as organist and music director at Old Bethel United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, where she served for 21 years. June is married to Jim Hannah and has a daughter and twin grandsons.

Sharon, a founding member of Joyful Sound, began ringing in the 1980s at Christ Indianapolis UMC, where she still rings, sings, and teaches Sunday school. She has two children and four grandchildren, and shares her home with one spoiled cat. She is a retired St. Francis hospice nurse.

Eleanor joined Joyful Sound in fall 2021, but has been playing bells since middle school and rang with Purdue Bells during college. She studied multidisciplinary engineering at Purdue and now works as a design engineer at Catalyst Product Development Group. Eleanor likes to spend her free time outdoors and exploring new places; she and her partner have hiked every Indiana state park and 10 national parks together.

Lora Lee started ringing handbells when she and Tom started dating. Tom and Lora Lee's wedding was Joyful Sound’s debut performance. Lora Lee is employed by AT&T and enjoys traveling, singing with her church choir, knitting, and crocheting.

Tom first started ringing handbells at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. He and his wife, Lora Lee, are founding members of Joyful Sound, and their wedding was our first gig. Tom is employed by DFAS as an IT specialist and enjoys cruising, exploring the hills of Kentucky, and homebrewing.

Erin learned to play handbells in the 6th grade. Erin directed her college handbell choirs and enjoys both solo and ensemble ringing. She has played with various handbell choirs in central Indiana over the years. Erin is a science writer at the Indianapolis Zoo and an advocate for science education and science communication. She spends her non-working/non-handbell hours taking care of her family, being active outdoors, reading books, playing games, and eating chocolate.

Curt has been playing handbells since 1990 and is a founding member of Joyful Sound. He is also a percussionist, and plays with a concert band in the summer when he’s not playing bells. He is a mechanical engineer, from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, and tests aircraft engines at Rolls-Royce. In his spare time, he enjoys bicycle and motorcycle riding, reading, home improvement, and nature.

Brian joined the Grace Notes handbell choir at Resurrection Lutheran Church in 2001 and has been ringing ever since! He joined Joyful Sound in spring 2023. Brian attended Case Western Reserve University and is employed as an automation engineer at Eli Lilly. As a father of two, he enjoys attending their sporting events and music performances. In his spare time, he assembles Metal Earth and LEGO models.

Darrell has more than 30 years of handbell-ringing experience, having rung and directed choirs at Wesley, Beech Grove, and Christ (Westfield) United Methodist Churches. Before joining Joyful Sound in 2004, he rang for three years in the former Indianapolis Handbell Ensemble. Darrell also enjoys ringing solos and is retired.

Beth has been ringing handbells since the age of 8. She is a member of the Chancel Bells at Meridian Street UMC and the director of the children's bell choir there. Beth enjoys ringing bell solos as well. She is a math support teacher at The Orchard School. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Craig, as well as sewing, baking, and gardening.

Karen has been ringing bells since the 1990s and joined Joyful Sound in 2010. She also enjoys ringing solos and in small ensembles. Karen is currently employed as an applications systems developer for American Family Insurance Company.

Betsy learned to ring at age 12 in Lawrence, Kansas, and in high school spent her summers touring the Midwest, England, Scotland, and Wales with the Plymouth Church Festival Ringers. After a long hiatus, Betsy attended a handbell festival, rediscovered her passion, and joined Joyful Sound in 2022. Betsy is a CPA for Heritage Environmental Services and a board member at Ascent 121. She loves team crosswords, books, games, and family fun both in person and on Zoom.

Joy is a special education teacher at Greenwood High School. She began ringing bells in 1995 and is a founding member of Joyful Sound. She enjoys traveling, crafting, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Leanna is in her 20th year of playing bells. She has a degree in music education from the University of Indianapolis and in Christian ministries from United Theological Seminary. Leanna is a life skills clinician at Community Health. She loves spending time with her family, playing instruments, and reading.