Learn how to teach more effectively and run productive
(and musical) rehearsals week after week.
You're the conductor and maybe the substitute ringer, the organizer and planner, the table-mover and handbell repair-person; but you're also a mentor, cheerleader, community builder, and yes, music educator.
The thing is:
You're a capable musician, but you weren't expecting to have to teach the basics of music-reading plus all the special techniques that go with handbell-playing to ringers with varying abilities. Was this part of the job description?
Most handbell choir directors weren’t trained as educators. You may have attended a summer institute, or two, and you likely have years of ringing experience. You know the repertoire, you know how bell assignments work, and you can step in for someone at a moment’s notice.
What if you didn’t have to figure that part out on your own?
Googling handbell notation symbols, practicing your conducting patterns in front of a mirror, and reacting to things that come up in rehearsal. You have a few things you say over and over:
“Let’s all count to four together…”
“Don’t forget to damp!”
“Keep your bells up!”
These are all good things, but are they helping? Are your ringers becoming more capable musicians? Are you becoming a better teacher or director?
Often, what’s missing is music education strategies grounded in how adults learn best. And without that, it’s hard to see real musical growth.
Introducing
A practical, self-paced course designed to give you the teaching
frameworks, rehearsal strategies, and confidence you need to
lead your bell choir with skill and creativity.
You'll learn how to:
🎶 Teach essential ringing technique and ensemble skills
🎼 Make music-reading and rhythmic-reading approachable and doable
👂 Foster the development of musicianship, listening skills, awareness, and musical understanding
✔️ Choose music that matches your group’s ability and helps them grow
✏️ Plan effective, engaging rehearsals week after week
✨ Build confidence as a director—even if you’re new to the role
All taught through the lens of adult learning theory, packed with real-world strategies, templates, and tools, and informed by over 20 years of teaching experience.
Module 1
Rhythmic solfege tutorial
25 leadership skills checklist for handbell directors
Module 2
Printable handbell notation guide
Module 3
Four sight-reading exercises to use in rehearsal
Free printable rhythm card set
Module 4
A list of handbell acclamations and processionals
Printable handbell music rating scale checklist
Two sample rehearsal plan templates
"I like that I can go back to retake the course or listen to the modules again. Another way to broaden one's knowledge about directing handbells without having to leave the house."
“Good, specific instruction on technique and pedagogy. If you’re curious as to the process this is a great way to begin your understanding of handbells.”
“I liked the step-by-step instruction–felt like it was designed just for me!”
My biggest takeaway: "I can do this if I take it step by step."
Take a closer look
Expert training. Real-world strategies. Practical tools you can return to again and again. You’ll walk away with a clearer plan, more confidence, and tools you can actually use in rehearsal next week.
✅ 16 short video lessons across four modules
✅ Hands-on activities to apply what you learn
✅ Downloadable rehearsal templates and tools
✅ Comments section so you can ask questions, get feedback, and interact with peers
✅ Email support: answers to your questions and feedback on your ideas are only an email away!
✅ Self-paced, accessible 24/7 from any device
✅ Lifetime access–come back whenever you need a refresher
Access Anywhere
Self-Paced
Lifetime Access
Start today and feel more prepared for your next rehearsal.
The reviews are in
"This course offers very practical guidance on leading a bell choir."
"Great review of the many practices to cover. Loved the rehearsal templates."
“I'm feeling very motivated and can't wait to start rehearsals again soon!”
Musician & educator based in Rochester, NY
I share creative and pedagogically sound teaching ideas and resources for church musicians and music educators to help you discover (and rediscover) the creative side of music teaching and learning.
I have a Ph.D. in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music and bring over 20 years of teaching experience across church, community, studio, and college settings (including four handbell choirs). I’ve helped musicians at every stage of their careers develop the skills and strategies they need to lead, teach, and be successful—especially when stepping into new roles, launching something innovative, or balancing multiple part-time positions.
I created this course to help you develop and refine your teaching skills so you can lead and direct your handbell choir with confidence and be the best director you can be.
I'm excited to meet you inside!
→ Feel overwhelmed by the teaching side of directing
→ Want your rehearsals to be more productive and musical
→ Need real-life strategies you can actually use
FAQs
All you need is an Internet connection. All course content and materials will be available to you in digital format: video lessons, PDF downloads, and web links. Nothing physical will be shipped to you.
Each module is about 30 minutes of video plus a hands-on project or planning task. The course is completely self-paced: You can complete the whole thing in 2–3 hours, or space it out across a few weeks. You’ll also have lifetime access, so there’s no rush.
Yes! This course was made for exactly that situation—when you’ve been handed the job and need help figuring out how to actually teach and lead an ensemble.
That’s okay! This course will walk you through what to teach and how to explain it in clear, accessible ways. You’ll gain confidence in your own understanding and learn how to model and teach the techniques your ringers need most.
Many of the same principles still apply. The course focuses on directing, teaching rhythm, planning rehearsals, and building ensemble skills, so if you're using chimes or a combination of chimes and bells, it’s still applicable.
Yes, if you want to refine your teaching skills, better understand how adults learn, and make your rehearsals more organized, engaging, and intentional. Even experienced directors have said they gained new insights, ideas, and frameworks they hadn’t considered before.
Yes. Each lesson includes a comments section where you can ask questions, share your ideas, and connect with other directors. You can also email me directly—I’m happy to answer any questions.
Each course in the Music Education & Leadership Skills series focuses on a different ensemble type. While a few foundational principles overlap (like rehearsal planning), this course was written specifically for directors of handbell choirs, with adult learning theory and typical challenges in mind.
But directing a handbell choir well isn’t as simple as choosing the right level repertoire and keeping a steady beat in your conducting pattern.
There’s teaching, planning, and navigating different skill levels, learning styles, and musical backgrounds. You’re smart, resourceful, and capable. But you don’t have to figure all of this out by yourself.
Lead with more confidence. Teach with more clarity and intention. Get more out of your rehearsals.
Take a closer look
✅ 16 short video lessons across four modules
✅ Hands-on activities to apply what you learn
✅ Downloadable rehearsal templates and tools
✅ Comments section so you can ask questions, get feedback, and interact with peers
✅ Email support: answers to your questions and feedback on your ideas are only an email away!
✅ Self-paced, accessible 24/7 from any device
✅ Lifetime access–come back whenever you need a refresher
By the end of this course, you’ll know what to teach and
how to teach it and you’ll have effective tools and teaching
strategies you can return to all year long.
Feel more prepared, more capable, and more confident
as a teacher and director, week after week.