Getting to know you...

Susan is a Texas girl; born and raised in Corpus Christi. Growing up, she always loved animals: dogs, cats, and horses. She was active in 4H and her favorite horse show events were Reining and Pole Bending. When she wasn’t riding her horses, you could find her on her Grandmother’s farm in Robstown, TX.

Music came into her life early, with piano lessons at the age of 6. She didn’t realize it was the beginning to a life- long love of music. Susan has never stopped playing the piano and took up the clarinet in Junior High, which led to her making the Texas ALL STATE Band in 1980. She continued with music after High School graduation and received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Trinity University and went on for another Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from UT Austin. She has worked in the field of music for over 30 years in various jobs: a Middle School Band Director, Church musician: Organist, Accompanist, Choir Director, Handbell Director, and a Praise Band pianist. But her first love has always been her Private Piano Studio, and her greatest hope is that her passion for music will be infectious to those around her.

Married to Stephen Bell since 1988; he retired from the US Navy after a 29 year career. While a Military spouse, Susan embraced the opportunity for community involvement and volunteerism. When their son, Thomas, came along in 1993, she threw herself into activities at church, his Boy Scout troop, and his school.

Susan is a member of CASA: Composer's Alliance of San Antonio. Her piano piece, "Willow in the Wind" for intermediate piano, is published in Volume 5 of "Made in SA" , a series of books of compositions by the group. Her compositions span a wide variety from church choir pieces: “Build Not Your Treasures on Earth” which has been performed by Church choirs in Texas and Virginia.; Concert band pieces: “Castle Rock of Edinburgh” performed by the Heart of Texas Concert Band on March 4, 2014; School Jazz Band charts like "Hot Tamale" a Latin, jazz waltz, and "Funky Gecko" which was performed by the HOT Jazz Band in March of 2019; to Small ensemble pieces like "Mystic Voyage" a 3 movement piece for Clarinet Quintet, which was debuted by musicians from The Heart of Texas Concert Band, and in August 2016, Mystic Voyage was performed at the International Clarinet Convention in Kansas. You can find her works online at Sheet Music Plus.com.

In her spare time, she enjoys photography and creating videos. She creates all the promotional videos for The Heart of Texas Concert Band. Other projects include the Senior Class DVD ( 2 years) for the Lee High School Baccalaureate service in Virginia, several videos for Military Retirement Ceremonies, and a Boy Scout recruitment video about the Philmont Scout Ranch, High Adventure experience.

Susan lives in Garden Ridge with her husband, son Thomas, and their 1 dog & 4 cats.