Ringing handbells is more than making music. It is a group of individuals coming together to learn and share their experiences, their feelings, their skills, and their lives as they work toward providing a moment of joy and wonder in the lives of others. While that final shared performance moment is an important moment to the both the ringers and the listeners, it is the many, many hours of preparation that provide the most important moments to the ringers - physically, musically, mentally, and emotionally.
Blanche Marie Lewis began performing with handbell ensembles during her college years as the featured flute soloist. After graduating and starting a family, she began ringing with the Chancel Bells at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park in 1990 and she's been ringing bells ever since! Blanche Marie has rung in large and small ensembles, church and community ensembles, and as a soloist. She is a Certified Handbell Director with the American Guild of English Handbell Ringing (AGEHR) and enjoys leading workshops and arranging music for bells and other instruments when not ringing or directing her own groups.

Published Pieces - Blanche Marie has 2 sets of handbells trios published for your ensembles enjoyment. To access these piece, click here.

For more information on handbell workshops led by Blanche Marie, click here. To contact Blanche Marie about leading a workshop with your handbell ensemble, click here.

Are your handbells in need of polishing, refurbishment or repair? Blanche Marie has been trained on both MalMark and Schulmerich handbells and is available to take care of your handbells. For more information on services offered, click here.

Blanche Marie has served as the Music Director of the Magic of Bronze since January 2003. The Magic of Bronze is a community-based auditioned handbell ensemble based in Central Florida.  They ring at special events and concerts throughout the state of Florida and enjoy sharing in the holiday atmosphere at Walt Disney World during the Christmas season each year.  She is the Handbell Director at Ascension Lutheran Church in Casselberry, FL, and directs the Joyful Bells at First United Methodist Church in Winter Park, FL, leading the ringers in providing service music on a monthly basis as well as offering outreach opportunities for each group.