David M. Harris has been the director of The Raleigh Ringers since January of 1990, when he was instrumental in the formation of the group.  Under his leadership, The Raleigh Ringers have performed across much of the United States; in France and England; on International Television on the “Hour of Power” program; as a showcase choir for the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar and Area Festivals; with the North Carolina and Virginia Symphony Orchestras; and as special guest performers at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.  The Raleigh Ringers are in constant demand as featured guest performers for various artist series and handbell festivals around the country.

The Raleigh Ringers have premiered hundreds of handbell compositions by nationally-known handbell composers including William Payn, Hart Morris, Arnold Sherman, Karen Buckwalter, Sandy Eithun, Cathy Moklebust, Bill Griffin, and Fred Gramann.  The group has worked with major handbell publishers to produce both The Raleigh Ringers Series, and The Legacy Series; sets of handbell publications intended for advanced choirs.  To date, The Raleigh Ringers have released eight very popular CDs and two full-length DVDs.   Both DVDs have been featured in PBS Holiday specials syndicated across 250+ PBS stations and affiliates in 45 states.   The Raleigh Ringers also record demonstration music several times a year for some of the leading publishers of handbell music.

David is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and has studied conducting privately with Dr. William Payn (Bucknell University).  David was the director of the handbell program at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, and has served The Handbell Musicians of America in several capacities: as All-Star Conductor, Ringing Track Conductor, Instructor for the National Seminar, North Carolina State Chairman, and as Area III Treasurer. He chaired the HMA national committee that planned the first Community/Professional Handbell Choir event, Pinnacle 2000, held in Las Vegas.  He was elected in March 2023 to a six-year term on the HMA National Board of Directors. 

In July 2023, David was awarded Honorary Life Membership in HMA, the highest award presented by the organization. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the art of handbell ringing. 

Because of his strong interest in the development of community handbell programs, David and The Raleigh Ringers developed and sponsor the biennial event, Virtuoso, a performance-focused event for advanced ringers. In addition, David has led well over 200 handbell festivals and workshops in 39 states as well as in England, Puerto Rico, Canada and the Caribbean.  He has also been the primary handbell clinician for several denominational music events, including Montreat (NC), Lake Junaluska (NC), Lutheridge (NC), Mo-Ranch (TX), Massanetta (VA) and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (KY).  David is also one of the co-founders of the very successful Capital Area Handbell Festival, held annually in Raleigh.   

David has taken on a position as adjunct professor at Meredith College in Raleigh, where he leads the Meredith College Ringers. He also conducts the educational groups sponsored by The Raleigh Ringers, the Millbrook and Atlantic Ringers. He has written several articles for Overtones, the national publication of The Handbell Musicians of America.

After growing up in the Northeast, David moved to Raleigh with his wife, Kristina. Dave and Kris have three grown children and one granddaughter TWO GRANDCHILDREN!!! :)

Editor's note: Welcome to this world, Henry David Kribs!