Meet Encore!

Emily Loper

Emily has played bells since grade school when she was drafted to sub in her church choir. She became a full member the next year and has rung or directed handbells ever since. She plays the cello, and also the washtub bass with Dr. Kickbutt's Orchestra of Death, a local jug band. When not playing music, she can also be found knitting, pretty much non-stop. 

Deb Madel

Deb was introduced to handbell ringing in youth group at her church, and has been playing on and off since, accruing over 28 years of ringing. Her passion for ringing handbells led her to become a founding member of Encore!  in 2007. In addition to playing in ensembles, she has performed in quartets, duets, and as a solo ringer. She also enjoys singing in her church choir and with the Oshkosh Chamber Singers. 

Denean Smith

Denean Smith has been ringing handbells since the nineties, initially “drafted” to ring in her church handbell choir in Decatur, IL. Her prior handbell experience includes ringing with Bells in Motion (Springfield, IL), Week of Handbells (Bayview, MI), numerous national and regional events sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America, and Grace Lutheran handbell choir Green Bay, WI. She and her husband Mark live in De Pere.

Corinne Delfosse

Corinne began ringing handbells in junior high with a Fond du Lac church choir in the 1990s. She took a brief hiatus during college and started ringing again in 2007 with a church choir in Kaukauna. In 2010, she began directing the newly-formed hand chime choir while still being a ringer in the handbell choir, and in 2015, took over directing the handbell choir. Corinne was introduced to Encore! in 2018 and is enjoying ringing with a community group. Corinne lives in Appleton with her husband, Matt, and three girls, Erin, Elsa, & Eve, and works as a court reporter.

Tom Lee

Tom started ringing handbells in 2018 but is no stranger to music. He has been playing piano since grade school; and spent many of his early years playing percussion, specializing in mallet instruments. In addition to music, Tom enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, board games, and volunteering in the Appleton community.

John Asmus

An avid musician since high school, John was formally introduced to handbells his freshman year at UW-Eau Claire, when he was invited to play in (and later direct) their handbell choir. Since then, he's had the privilege of learning and ringing bells across the state and country. In addition to handbells, John stays busy as a performer, playing reeds for his local band, orchestra, and theatre groups. His latest passions include contemporary music and nonprofit arts management, which occasionally compete with his other interests, such as sleeping.

Mary Rank

Mary was introduced to hand bells as a middle school student and returned to playing them 20 years later as a member of a church hand bell choir and then Encore!. She loves the challenge of playing hand bell music of this caliber and the camaraderie that is built within this special organization.

Mary's musical talents extend beyond hand bells, as she has played percussion since she was 11, and is percussion section leader of the Oshkosh Area Community Band. She has been the elementary music teacher in the School District of Omro since 2011, and gets the opportunity to pass on her love of all things music to her students every day! Mary and her husband, John live in Omro, with their two kitties, Xyla and Iggy.

Bethany Rink

Bethany grew up in her parents’ church, where she began ringing as a 5th grader. Since then, in addition to Encore!, she has rung in various church bell choirs and for the UW Oshkosh handbell ensemble. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter when she’s not ringing bells or teaching 4K.

Nancy Engels

Nancy was introduced to handbells in high school by her grandmother and music has always played an important part in her life. She joined an Appleton church handbell choir shortly after her family moved there in 2006. The love of handbells returned to her heart. She is excited to be joining Encore for the 2019-2020 season. Nancy and her family live in the Darboy/Appleton area where they have been involved in both school and community theater. Nancy also enjoys time up north, quilting and refurbishing furniture.

Martha Paalman

As the child of two church musicians, Martha has been ringing handbells since she could see over the tables. She has been a member of various choirs throughout the years and is currently the director of The Bells of St Mary Handbell Choir at St Mary Parish in Appleton. Martha lives in Neenah with her husband and cats and works as a Plant Controller at Amcor Flexibles North America.

Erica Schedel

Erica began ringing in high school with her church handbell choir.  After a long hiatus she was recently reminded of the joy of ringing and sought out Encore! to resume playing.  Erica is a psychologist at a correctional facility and lives with her family in Oshkosh.   

Amy Berg

Amy Berg was introduced to handbells at Martin Luther College. She has directed bell ensembles at many churches and schools. She performed with Austin Handbell Ensemble for eighteen years before joining Encore in January 2021. In addition to handbells, Amy plays organ and piano at Martin Luther Church and teaches fifth grade and music at Neenah Lutheran school. Outside of handbells, Amy enjoys quiet activities, such as reading, walking, and bicycling.

Danyan Tang

Danyan began ringing handbells with UWO handbell choir in 2018 and has been playing on and off for three semesters. She joined Encore! in 2022 and is enjoying ringing with a community ensemble. She is excited to ring the challenged music with this group. She also enjoys playing piano in her church and singing with the Oshkosh Chamber Singers. Danyan lives in Oshkosh with her husband and three boys. She likes traveling with her family.

Terri Somers

Terri was introduced to handbells in 2001 when she rang bells in a church handbell choir in Fond du Lac, WI.  She took a 20 year break from bells, but wanted to get back into ringing at some point.  That opportunity presented itself in early 2023 when she found us at Encore!.  She is excited to be ringing bells again. Terri and her husband, Jeff, live in Oshkosh.  She likes to go on bike rides, camp, and spend time outside. Inside hobbies include sewing and stained glass.

Willem Bosma

Willem is a recent addition to Encore! Handbell Ensemble. He learned to play handbells as a youth in his church handbell choir. This year he decided to take on the additional challenge of ringing in an auditioned community choir. Willem is a recent graduate of UW Eau Claire.

Laura Schauland

Laura was introduced to handbells by attending Encore! concerts and watching her friends Tom and John having all kinds of fun. In addition to handbells, Laura has played the clarinet since 5th grade. Outside of handbells Laura enjoys baseball, gardening, and knitting.

Debbie Hoff

Debbie first picked up handbells in high school with her church choir, drawn to the upper treble range where her years as a flute player made reading those high notes second nature. Though life led her away from ringing for a few decades, the joy of music never left. Now back at the bells, this self-proclaimed “ding-a-ling” is rediscovering the rhythm, teamwork, and ringing harmony that first caught her ear. Outside of rehearsal, Debbie enjoys traveling, volunteering with Special Olympics and her church, and catching a good Broadway show whenever she can.

Kelly Cullhane

Kelly started ringing bells with the kids choir at church and continued playing in the St. Olaf Handbell choir throughout her four years in college. After a bit of a break, she started ringing with Encore in the Fall of 2025. Kelly teaches chemistry and biochemistry at Lawrence University and when not in the lab she enjoys reading, taking walks with her husband and their dog Helix, and crocheting blankets.