Stephanie Wiltse

Director,

Embellish

and Campana

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Stephanie is a founding member of Embellish, and is now in her twelfth
year as music director. She has twenty-seven years of handbell ringing experience. Stephanie also directs handbells at Trinity UMC, Calvin College, and Aquinas College. She is in the second year of a six-year term serving on the National Board of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR). She has been married to Ric for thirty-four years and they have two sons, Jake, 24 and Joe, 22, and a cat named Tumnus, 15. While not directing and selecting music, she enjoys singing, bead-stringing and weaving, overseas travel, reading books, and staying in touch with faraway friends and family via e-mail and FaceBook.

Kurt Stroh

Director, Bellistic!

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Nathan Biller

Nathan is enjoying his first official year as an Embellish member, but has been ringing with the group off-and-on over the past 5 years. In addition to handbells, he is also a percussionist and a pianist. He graduated this past April from GVSU with a double major in Business Economics and Finance and a minor in Mathematics. He is an avid amateur photographer and has a penchant for traveling to (and photographing) new places. He also enjoys graphic and web design and has started several burgeoning websites. He works at Steelcase as a Supply Chain Analyst and enjoys the analytical work which balances with music’s creativity.

Russell Cooper

Russell is ringing his 11th season with Embellish (and handbells for 22 years).

He's attempted to sing, and to play several musical instruments.  In a former life he directed handbells in a church and a college, and currently works in Information Services at Kalamazoo College.  He's married to Amy (12 years).  They welcomed their first child into their lives in April, and Daddy’s hoping to have a new coaster buddy in a few years! 

Russell loves a cappella, drum corps, photography, rollercoasters (205 and counting), and sometimes running.  He’s a regular Facebooker, as are many Embellishers.  You too can be a fan of Embellish on Facebook.

Linda Coppard

Linda returns to Embellish for her 6th year after taking a brief sabbatical, and is enjoying every minute of it.  Her busy day (and sometimes night), job involves working in Human Resources (yes, Catbert) for a local automotive supplier. Every day is different. A long-time dog lover, Linda is owned by a gentle and sweet dog with “Yoda Ears” named Ginger.  Known to strike up conversations with just about anyone, Linda also loves football, red wine, Northport, MI, live music (especially country), local farmers markets, time with friends and, Ginger’s favorite, sleeping in on Sundays.

Richard Duyser

Dick is excited to be in his first year ringing with Embellish.  He has been ringing for 13 years and singing for 20+ years at his church where he has been very involved in the music program.  He is the Senior Quality Manager and FAA Repair Station Accountable Manager for L-3 Communications Avionics Systems.  He and his wife, Chris, are the proud parents of two adult children, who are both in graduate school pursuing their dreams, and a new calico cat, Chloe…who is definitely not a dog!  Along with ringing, he is a rabid musical theatre nut, an avid Detroit Tigers fan, woodworker, stained glass artisan, reader, writer, traveler and Facebook addict.  He is thrilled by the challenge of being part of the best handbell ensemble around!

Kathy Hadley

This is Kathy's fourth season with Embellish.  She has been playing handbells for over 20 years.  In addition to Embellish, Kathy rang with choirs in Ohio and Arizona, participating in the 1994 International Handbell Symposium in Australia.  Kathy works for GE Aviation as a software engineer.  She and her husband (John) have one son (Scott), as well as two cats, one crested gecko and two frogs.  When she is not working or ringing, she enjoys reading, travel, and Cub Scouts (with Scott).

Julie Hayes

This is Julie's fifth season ringing in Embellish, although she has been playing handbells for more than 25 years.  Her undergraduate degree from Alma College (Go, Scots!) includes a B.A. in psychology and music (trombone), and she plays the piano for fun.  Julie spends part of her time as a stay-at-home mom to her 4-year old son, Declan, and part of her time teaching at the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts.  She is a Certified Massage Therapist, and is excited that the State of Michigan recently adopted guidelines for licensing all therapists in the state!  Julie will celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary with Jim this New Year's Eve and, in addition to Declan, they share their home with their dog (Thane) and cat (Romeo).  Aside from music, Julie enjoys reading, traveling, word games, Facebook and baking.

Lauri Hoff

Lauri is in her fifth year with Embellish. Lauri has been ringing with her sister, fellow Embellish ringer Lisa Sandee, for 17 years.  Lauri works for Wolverine World Wide as a licensed Customs Broker, importing and exporting footwear and apparel.  She will graduate with an MBA at Grand Valley State University in the Summer of 2010.  She enjoys rocking out, watching HDTV (anything on the Discovery or History channel) while vegging on the couch, playing volleyball and golf, waterskiing, and watching hockey. She kicks it with her husband Bryan and enjoys playing with her two shih-tzus Hunter and Fisher.

Laura Jen

This is Laura's fourteenth season with Embellish.  She enjoys being involved in music at her church where she plays organ, piano, and flute, and directs the handbell choir.  Laura lives in Kentwood with her husband, Casey.  They have 3 high school/college-aged children, Nathan, Tim, and Becky.  She loves being a homemaker and school and church volunteer, and in her spare time enjoys hobbies such as reading, cardmaking, scrapbooking, crafts, and baking.  

SuLin Kotowicz

SuLin is happy to return for her fourth year ringing with Embellish.  She has been ringing handbells for seven years and playing piano for 20 years.  She is a Landscape Architect and works for OCBA.  SuLin is the President Elect for the Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and sits on her Church Council.  SuLin and her husband, Brian, reside with their two phenomenal and entertaining cats, Dante and Boomer.  In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends, cooking (an aspiring "foodie") and eating good food.  She's always happy to give a local restaurant recommendation.

Melissa Reiffer

This is Melissa's eighth season in Embellish.  Her love of music started early when she begged her mom to let her start taking violin lessons at the age of 3.  Melissa was introduced to handbells at her church at age 13 and has been ringing ever since.  Melissa and her husband, Jason, are proud new parents to baby Nathan born in May 2009.  Their family also includes their dog, Scout, and 2 cats, Cosmo and Capri.  Melissa recently started a new job as a stay at home mom to baby Nathan and she also enjoys spending time with her husband, biking, swimming, camping, walking her dog, scrapbooking, and traveling.

Lisa Sandee

Lisa, a seventh-year ringer in Embellish, has been ringing handbells for nineteen years.  When she is not ringing bells, she works at Global Forex Trading as the manager of the compliance department in law and regulation.  In her spare time, she enjoys judging high school cheerleading, singing with the praise team at Richmond Reformed Church, and golfing.  She also has a very "small-crush" (infatuation) with Barry Manilow.  In May of 2004, she married her husband, Brent a high-school teacher and football coach, (go Knights!).  They have an adorable daisy dog named Blitz.  Lauri Hoff, Lisa's sister, also rings with the group.

Rose Wiersma

Rose is looking forward to her third year ringing in Embellish.  Rose is a woodwind specialist and has taught woodwind technique classes for music education majors at Grand Valley State University.  Rose is currently serving as Worship Arts Assistant at Remembrance Church on the northwest side of Grand Rapids.  Rose enjoyed her teaching career in the Coopersville Area Public Schools music department recruiting, teaching and directing at every level throughout the program.  Rose has two adult married children; both are musicians on the side of their professional careers.  She has a young, active golden retriever, Princeton, who loves to take her for walks.

Dennis Willemsen

Dennis is thrilled to be in his second year with Embellish.  He started ringing handbells nine years ago when he joined his wife, Heather, in their church handbell choir.  Dennis currently works as a Technology Administrator for Gordon Food Service, where he has been employed for the past 24 years.  Some of his other interests include softball, golf, fishing and woodworking; along with trying to keep up with his two sons and their boundless energy!

Heather Willemsen