One Passion, One Strike, One Sound

Jersey Shore Native Lynn Gary Atkins is delighted to be the Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble. A singer, conductor, and educator, Atkins has used his skills in concert as well as Lynn’s journey with Handbells started while as a teenager. He then became a member of the Westminster Concert Bell Choir in 2000 and rang in the training choir for two years before ringing with the touring choir. During his tenure as Choral Director for Ewing High School (NJ), he reinstated the bell choir program. Dr. Atkins has also been proud to direct handbell choirs for the congregations of Covenant Presbyterian Church of Trenton, NJ and Elkton United Methodist Church of Elkton, VA. In 2017, Lynn became the Artistic Director of the James River Ringers of Richmond, VA. Lynn obtained a BM in Music Education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in 2004. During and is a member of the first cohort to obtain the dual MM/DMA in Choral Conducting from James Madison University in 2012. Currently, Atkins is Director of Choral Activities for the Pinelands Regional School District in Tuckerton, NJ. He also a member of the music staff for All Saints Church of Princeton, NJ.

Becky began ringing at Readington Reformed Church under the direction of her mom when she was 9 years old and has been ringing ever since. She joined PHE in 2006, and has been with the ensemble since then with the exception of two years spent working with her husband in the Philippines. Becky holds a BS in Accounting from Susquehanna University. She is the controller at Centennial Lending Group, LLC.

Rob’s ringing career began at age 13 his musical passions include playing the carillon, singing, and occasionally composing. Rob works as a Control Systems Programmer for Applied Video Technology, integrating technology in classrooms and meeting rooms. In his spare time, Rob enjoys sailing, reading and playing games. Rob joined Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble in 2006.

Bob has been ringing since he was twelve years old and is currently the handbell director at the First Baptist Church in Haddonfield where his ringing began. Bob is a trained pianist, organist, and harpist, composing and arranging unpublished works for both harp and handbells. Bob is a charter member of Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble.

Jack started ringing at Wittenberg University while studying music and silver jewelry studio art. She has been a percussionist since 2005 and plays a wide variety of instruments across the percussion family. She is an avid sci-fi fan with special places in her heart for Firefly and The Expanse novels. She also enjoys making jewelry in her workshop under the name Silver Sun Metalworks.

Bethan began ringing at Westminster Choir College, where she earned her degree in Organ Performance and Sacred Music. Bethan is currently employed as the Director of Music Ministries at Quakertown United Methodist Church, and as the Refurbishment Department Coordinator for Schulmerich Bells. In addition to ringing with PHE, Bethan is a founding member of Quadrants Handbell Quartet. Bethan has been ringing with PHE since 2016.

Adam Bergstresser serves as Director of Music and Organist at St. Paul’s. In addition to administrative responsibilities, Adam directs St. Paul’s Ringers and the Westminster Quartet. He also works with Dr. Joseph Ohrt in the direction of the Senior Choir. Adam is a 2016 graduate of the Westminster Choir College with a Bachelor Degree in Organ Performance and Sacred Music.

Besides ringing in PHE, Jan enjoys playing bell solos/duets, recorder, piano, baritone, melodica, and singing. She is a member of the Holtz Handbell Choir, the NJ MasterChorale, the Philadelphia Recorder Society, and the Haddonfield Pick-Up Band. She loves to spend time with her husband, kids and cats, plus write devotions, knit, bake, and do jigsaw puzzles. She treasures each day as a gift from God and is deeply grateful for all of His blessings.

Victor began ringing one year ago at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, NJ. He graduated in 2016 from Westminster Choir College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theory and Composition and currently serves as the tenor section leader at the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of Princeton. In addition to PHE, Victor is a tenor in The Same Stream Choir and plays the Erhu in the Westminster Chinese Music Ensemble. His passion for music is deeply rooted in the music of video games and he is pursuing a career in the industry.

Julia Beckmann began ringing bells in high school at the First United Methodist Church in Amityville, NY and continued ringing bells as a member of the Westminster Bell Choir under the direction of Kathy Ebling Shaw. Julia holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Arts in Teaching from Westminster Choir College. She is currently the PK-4 Music Teacher at Princeton Day School in Princeton, NJ.

Tom is an avid musician, playing saxophone and piano, and singing bass in addition to ringing. He likes to compose, arrange, and record original music. He minored in music at Penn State, and was active in the Marching Blue Band and Centre Dimensions Jazz Band. By day, Tom is a web application developer in Philadelphia. He is a cycling enthusiast, gamer, family man, and Eagles fan. Tom joined PHE in 2018.

Gina has been ringing at church for about 10 years now and played violin from 2nd grade up thru college. She loves everything sci-fi and when not ringing, can generally be found taking care of a small zoo worth of pets.

Karina began ringing in college with the Westminster Concert Bell Choir 4 years ago. She has since graduated with a BM in Music Education and a dual degree in Culinary and Pastry Arts from Le Cordon Bleu in London. Karina currently works as a butcher in Hopewell for Brick Farm Market and as a Children’s Choir director for Frenchtown First Presbyterian Church.