Music Director - J.-C. Coolen

J.-C. Coolen is an active participant and leader in the Greater Toronto Area (Ontario, Canada) handbell community. One of the founding members of The Bronze Foundation, Toronto’s auditioned community handbell ensemble, he has served as its Music Director since 2005. J.-C is the Director of Bells of Bowmanville, at the Bowmanville Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is also active in the wider handbell world as Membership Secretary for the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers and as Ontario District Coordinator for Area II of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. He has been ringing since 1989 and directing bells since 1998.

J.-C. was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and currently lives in Ajax, Ontario. As a freelance accompanist, conductor and church musician, he participates in a wide range of musical activities throughout the eastern Greater Toronto area. In addition to his handbell activities, he is Music Director at Wexford Heights United Church (Scarborough) and Director of Durham Community Choir and Espressivo Singers (Oshawa). In his spare time, he likes to travel, read, think, and satisfy his curiosity.

The Ringers

Janice Andrews began ringing bells with the Metropolitan United Church Hand Bell choir in 2001 and joined The Bronze Foundation in 2009. When she is not ringing bells, she is teaching high school math and science, singing in the Metropolitan United Church Choir, or studying astrology.

Sandra Jean Bedford began ringing handbells in 2007 with the Queensway Bellringers in Brantford. Piano accompanying and being a "supply" church music director are also included in her music life. She is a retired elementary school teacher who volunteers weekly in both the dialysis unit and the diabetes clinit at Brantford General Hospital. In her spare time, Sandra Jean reads to relax.

Valerie Clowes began ringing with Bells of Bowmanville and now rings with St. John's York Mills Anglican Church - Ingram Choir. Music making is always central to her life and in addition to handbell ringing she enjoys singing in 4-part a cappella and other choral styles. When not ringing or singing, Valerie enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three dogs, or with friends and their dogs, or simply with dogs.

Anita Crump has been a member of the Bells of St. Matthew's at St. Matthew's United Church in Richmond Hill since 2006, and Bronze Foundation since 2007. She rang at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Kitchener when she was a teenager. When she's not ringing bells, Anita is an Instructional Designer for Innovatia where she produces documentation for global clients. She also sings with Cantabile Chorale of York Region. She is working very hard to pass along the bell ringing skills to her daughter.

David Keith is one of the directors of The Bells of St. Andrew's at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Scarborough. David began ringing in 1992 and he first performed a handbell duet with his wife, heather, in 2001. David is also part of Quintessence Handbell Ensemble. His favourite handbell composition is Capriccio, by Kevin McChesney. When he's not directing handbells, David is a Computer Programmer/Analyst at Exxon Mobile Canada. In his spare time, David is an avid armchair athlete.

Brittany McCorriston has been ringing since 2008 with the Bells of St.Matthew's in Richmond Hill. She also played with the OLA (Our Lady Of Annunciation) Bell Stars prior to being accepted at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts where she plays oboe in her school band. She has played piano for 10 years and has won awards in numerous competitions for musicianship. She also plays piano in her school's jazz band and some of the school's productions. She started in The Bronze Foundation in 2011.

Barbara Neal is a member of the Lorne Park Baptst Church Bells of Praise and has been ringing for over 10 years. She rings in a quartet with other family members and has recently discovered solo ringing. Barbara is retired and enjoys golfing and quilting.

Kelly Otway began ringing with Bells of Bowmanville. After ringing with BOB for 2 years, she left the group in order to raise her two children, Cara and Clarke. She teaches grade 7 core and instrumental music at Bellwood Public School in Whitby where she directs 2 bands and a grade 5 to 8 bell choir. Kelly is very excited to be back ringing "on the other side of the stick" with the Bronze Foundation.

Judy Queen was hooked from the very first time she heard handbells at the beginning of 2004. After retiring from elementary school teaching in September 2004, she began ringing with the Queensway Handbells in Brantford. She welcomes the challenge of ringing with Bronze Foundation. She has begun a handbell choir at Fairview United Church in Brantford and rings with the Queens Square Handbell choir in Cambridge. In her spare time, Judy has been learning to play the cello.

Marjorie Slinn has been ringing bells since 1974 and is a charter member and past president of both the Canadian and Ontario Guilds of English Handbell Ringers. She is very active as the Music Director at Stamford United Church in Niagara Falls where she directs 3 handbell choirs and 3 vocal choirs. She also directs the Belles of Smithville. In 1990, she took her teen vocal and bell choirs (40 students) to participate in the Harrogate Youth Festival in England. Marjorie started ringing with the Bronze Foundation in 2011.

Debi Sproule began playing handbells in 2005. In addition to the Bronze Foundation, she is a member of the Wellington Square United Church handbell choir. Debi works at the Burlington Public Library and her favourite pastime, next to ringing, is reading.

Mann-Yee Sun began ringing bells with St. Andrew's Ringers in Ottawa one year ago, and joined the Bronze Foundation in 2011. She is trained as a pianist, but considers herself an aspiring accordian and guitar player. During the day, Mann-Yee works as an engineer.

Lloyd Winfield joined the Bronze Foundation in 2005. He also rings (since 2002) with the Dublin Street United Church Handbell Choir in Guelph. Lloyd is the South Central Area Representative for the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers (OGEHR). In his day job, Lloyd works for the Ontario Ministry of Finance contributing to the creation of sensible tax legislation. In his spare time, Lloyd enjoys reading and studying music in an attempt to catch up to his daughter.