Our Music Director is Libbie Randels, who tells us she LOVES HANDBELLS!
Libbie has rung in and directed church and community bell choirs since 1986. She has also been a member of the Handbell Musicians of America since then.
Libbie studied technique under the Chicago-based Agape Ringers, and solo ringing under Nancy Hascall. She has rung in the Distinctly Bronze and National All Stars auditioned choirs. She has taught classes such as Ring ’til you’re 100 and Weaving Made Easy at multiple Area and National events. She has also developed and run multiple handbell conferences, and was the Area 11 Desert Sub-chair of the Handbell Musicians of America for 5 years.
Libbie rang with the Handbell Ringers of Sun City from 2007 to 2009 and has been our Music Director since 2009. Get in touch with her through our Contact Us page, or by calling her at 623.256.9495.
Michele Southerland, our Associate Director, also brings a wealth of music experience to our Handbell Choir! First introduced to handbells in the 1970’s, Michele has taught elementary school music, sung in Master Chorales in Ventura County, directed youth choirs and adult vocal choirs, and has served as the Director of Traditional Worship at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ventura County, CA.
Since moving to Arizona in 2015, Michele has performed with the Handbell Ringers of Sun City, ProMusica Arizona, and Women in Song, and is the Music Director at Grace Community Church in Surprise, leading both vocal and handbell choirs. Michele was selected as our choir’s Associate Director in 2025, and we are delighted to have her serve in this position, as well as continuing to ring handbells with us!
A long time active member of the Handbell Musicians of America, Michele has participated in both local and national workshops, hosted events, and currently assists in leading our choir in HMA Area 11 workshops.