Meet the Crew!

Barb Walsh’s main job with Tintabulations is artistic director with a smattering of “ringer herding”. She has been ringing handbells since 1985 and conducting bells since 1986. Barb taught general music for Washoe County School District for 33 years before retiring last year. In addition to playing bells, she performs regularly on flute and piccolo. Barb has been married to her husband, Dave, for 32 years, and they have four children – a dog and three horses with whom they enjoy backcountry adventures.

Diane Bell has been ringing bells for over 30 years. She was invited to perform with Tintab after subbing at rehearsals and concerts for several years. Diane is a music therapist for the Washoe County School District where she leads choir chime groups for students with special needs. She also directs the bell choir at South Reno United Methodist Church.

Ben Brown began playing bells when he was a wee lad in Barb’s Elementary School music program. He remains the only original member of Tintabulations, besides Barb. Along with bells, Ben also plays the Cello in groups around Reno. Although he is currently finishing up his Masters in Computer Science, his first job aspiration was to sell snow cones.

Elizabeth Cadigan only began ringing bells when she was a student teacher for Barb several years ago. After being made to play bells with Tintab during some after school rehearsals, Liz quickly became hooked. When she isn’t ringing bells, Liz can be found convincing children of their musical abilities or learning the banjo. Before using the restroom at someone else’s house, Liz always checks behind the shower curtain.

Lourdes Calzada has been ringing bells since she started in Barb’s Elementary School group 10 years ago. She is now a Music Education major. Lourdes can also make balloon animals due to a desire to be a clown when she was younger.

Rachael Cowell has just begun her ringing experience. She is currently the Assistant Band Director for the Campus Band at the University of Nevada, Reno where she is working on her Masters in Music Education. Because music is her life, she fills her schedule with either performing or teaching music. This year she is participating in the University’s Top Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Campus Band, Jazz Band, Brass Quintet, as well as the Truckee Meadows Community College band, Reno Wind Symphony, and for the first time, Tintabulations! She likes to spend the small amount of free moments left on crafts and participating in Kickboxing.

Barbara Cote travels all the way from Bishop, California so she can be a part of Tintabulations. She has been playing bells for 20ish years. Barb also plays the violin, harp, guitar, and piano with small ensembles and orchestras throughout the Eastern Sierra area. When not driving between Reno and Bishop, Barb can be found hanging out with her hubby Ed, playing with their two Westies (Zach and Barney), puttering in the garden, with her gazillion house plants, or seeing her terrific kids and grandkids. In her ancient history she was asked to be a “Raiderette.”

Shelley English has been ringing for 15 years, and has also played the piano, violin and cello. She grew up with a love for music and performing. She is an executive assistant and she & her husband Tom are parents to two adult children and one border collie. Shelley took up running in 2012, which (perhaps not) coincidentally is the same year she joined Tintabulations. She now serves as secretary and Public Relations Chairperson for the ensemble. “So please, ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter'”!

Melanie Graber is a bassoonist and bell ringer who also teaches music in the local school district. She overheard Liz and Barb discussing handbells during a music teacher meeting several years ago, and after approaching them about play again Mel was recruited into Tintabulations. She is the 16th grandchild of both her father’s parents and her mother’s parents, but she is not the last on either side.

Sara Jorgensen was introduced to handbells at an early age and has rung in various ensembles for 14 years. When not ringing handbells, Sara works for the Washoe County School District as an Implementation Specialist. During her free time she enjoys camping, travel, creative endeavors and spending time with her five cats and husband, Randy.

Derek Nance got into bell ringing when his high school band director recruited him to help start a handbell choir at his school. When he decided to attend college in Reno, he was introduced to Barb and instructed to ring with her group. He is now a handbell fanatic, as evidenced by the blog he and his brother run about handbells, which can be found at HandbellBrothers.com. Then there’s the fact that he is a newly inducted member of Handbell Musicians of America’s Board of Directors.

Genevieve Parker comes from a musically-inclined family. Having always been contrary, she chose to study the piano and pipe organ, two of the only instruments her father has never played, from age 8. She joined a handbell ensemble in sixth grade and rang with that group for eight years. Gen linked up with Tintabulations in January 2014, shortly after moving to Reno, whereupon this transplant’s boredom and loneliness became only vague memories.

Maria (Maui) Reynolds is originally from Venezuela where she joined the Youth  Orchestra of “El Sistema” as a violin player, at the short age of seven. After finishing her music studies in the conservatory and earning a bachelor degree in Elementary Education, she began to work as a music teacher for the Conservatory and the Lara State School District. In 1994 founded the first handbell ensemble in Venezuela, with the support of Puerto Rican Conductor Carlos E. Rivera. Maui moved to Nevada in 2010 and joined Tintabulations after an open call for auditions in the Summer of 2013. At the Carson City School District, she works as a Bilingual Associated Instructor for English as A Second Language. Maui also enjoys the outdoors, water sports, traveling, and getting to know new places.

Amber Stein has over 10 years of experience working in school and public libraries, specifically in Youth Services. She is the mommy to adorable twin boys (almost teens, and yes they are cutie pies, says she!) and loves to run and swim. Recently Amber chopped off her hair so she could be Sassy like her new puppy.

Debby Wiens is a teacher in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District and is the founder and owner of Allegro School of Music. She has taught Kindermusik & piano in the North Lake Tahoe area for 25 years. Debby was introduced to handbells in Middle School. Since moving to Tahoe in 1988, she has been on staff at The Village Church. She has directed both handbells and children’s choirs as well as playing piano for church services. She is a loving wife, mom, & grandma. An avid outdoor enthusiast, when not ringing bells with Tintabulations, Debby      can be found hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing or hunting.