Mission Statement:

The mission statement for Twin Cities Bronze captures the essence of the organization:

As professionals, to strive at all times for musical excellence
As educators, to share our technical knowledge of this unique medium
As artists, to showcase the diversity of handbells through innovative performances
As friends, to support each other and have fun

Who We are:

Twin Cities Bronze is a performing ensemble specializing in the music and art of English handbells. Selected by annual audition, this eleven-member ensemble of advanced ringers hails from the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota. Their energizing performance style captures the listener's interest and their visual presentation evokes accolades from audiences and colleagues around the country. Through musically sensitive interpretation and technical execution, Twin Cities Bronze showcases their unique diversity in today's challenging secular, sacred, and classical handbell repertoire. As a teaching ensemble at the forefront of the medium of handbells, Twin Cities Bronze is recognized for their innovative and comprehensive workshop, Insights Into Artistry. They travel across the country sharing their knowledge and experience with directors and ringers in churches, schools and community groups.

Monica S. McGowan, Artistic Director

Twin Cities Bronze receives its musical and artistic direction from Monica S. McGowan, who also rings in the ensemble. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska. Ms. McGowan has directed handbell choirs in Episcopal, Methodist, and Lutheran churches from Louisiana to Minnesota for over 15 years. She brings her background of education, teaching and extensive training in Handbells and Handchimes to both the conducting podium and the workshop setting in local, regional, and international conferences and clinics, handbell festivals and music camps, and events and seminars of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc. (AGEHR). She has received handbell instruction from Donald Allured, William Payn, Dr. Paul Rosene, Michael Keller, and William Griffin. She was accredited in the first AGEHR Master Class in conducting receiving certification as Massed Conductor, Level One. She has served on the Area and National Board of directors for AGEHR, Inc. and her articles have appeared in the Overtones magazine.

Kathy Woods got hooked on handbells after attending a handbell music reading session and has now been ringing for over 10 years. In addition to teaching second graders at Johnsville School, she serves hotdogs at the Metrodome. She dreams of being a country gentle-woman sheep farmer in the Lake District of England where she would, of course, do change-ringing at a local tower. Kathy is the mom of three grown sons and the grandmother of Erin.

Chris Johnson is thrilled to be ringing with Twin Cities Bronze. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Education from Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota with minors in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy. He grew up in North Dakota and began ringing handbells in high school (in Hazen, North Dakota) and continued through college. He works in the marketing department for the Minnesota Orchestra. Chris enjoys riding his bike, reading, playing piano, and taking in the art scene in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Patti Munter is a member of the Chancel Ringers of Fridley's United Methodist Church, where she first learned to ring handbells while in junior high school. She holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration/Accounting from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. By day she is the Controller at Featherlite Exhibits in Minneapolis. Her passion for traveling has taken her to Canada, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, France and most of the United States. In 2005, highlights of an Alaskan cruise and tour included a helicopter ride to a glacier and riding a dogsled on that same glacier. At home, Patti enjoys listening to all kinds of music, reading, crafting, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Sara Ralston has been involved with handbells since 1988. She resides in Eden Prairie, and is fortunate to also work in Eden Prairie as an Executive Assistant. She is proud to be mom to one grown son, Andrew. Sara is an avid knitter and knits baby clothes for charities around the world. In her spare time she relaxes by noodling over logic and number puzzles.

Lauren Odle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Music Performance, but her minor in Spanish later led to a 2nd major and Teaching Credential in Spanish Education. Lauren currently teaches Spanish at Cyber Village Academy, a charter school in the St. Paul District. Lauren loves to sing and is an avid reader and collects international fabric art. In her lifetime, Lauren hopes to learn French, play the cello, travel and world AND grow the perfect garden.

Bonnie Tranby has rung handbells since 1988. Besides performing with Twin Cities Bronze, Bonnie directs two handbell choirs and a handchime choir at her home church in Eagan. Bonnie has actively participated in all area AGEHR conferences since 1992. She received a degree in Music Education from NDSU in Fargo and teaches music at Edward Neill Elementary in Burnsville. Bonnie is married and a mother of two young adults. Her family enjoys traveling (especially cruises) and camping, boating, fishing and golfing. If Bonnie ever has a spare moment, she relaxes by playing her flute and reading.

Janine Allen, a Technology Specialist and Gifted/Talented Resource teacher at Columbus Elementary in Forest Lake, has been playing handbells at Our Saviour's in East Bethel for 24 years. Shee enjoys the challenges of ringing handbells in ensemble and solo ringing venues as well as playing other percussive instruments. Janine is mom to two young adults, two miniature Daschunds, and weekend babysitter to two grandpuppies. Her hobbies include reading, enjoying cabin life with friends, and traveling with husband Bernie on his purple "Screaming Eagle" Harley Davidson motorcycle!

Sharon Barton lives in New Hope and is a stay-at-home mom to Katie and Emily. With a Master's Degree in Church Music from Valparaiso University, she didn't start ringing handbells until after the birth of her first daughter in 2001. The reason? The handbell choir rehearsed on a different night than the choir her husband was in! Sharon now directs the adult handbell choir at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, and is also an avid scrapbooker.

Deb Garvey is a band director of 4th through 8th graders, but admits she really loves the collaborative aspect of handbells. In her spare time, she reads and scrapbooks and finishes a quilt about every five years. Deb enjoys traveling with husband Don and their 2 children, Dirk (17) and Kim (21). Deb is attaining certification as a Healing Touch Therapist.

Martiey Miller holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Nutrition/Food Sciences and Business Administration from Utah State University. An Edina native, Martiey is owned by 2 dogs, Henry and Sanibel who love to take trips to the Dog Park. Martiey is proudest of daughter Michelle, a professional cellist who currently resides in Connecticut.

Nicole started ringing handbells in 1995, over which time she has become a handbell ringing fanatic...Nicole has been known to ring with three different choirs in one season! During the day, she works as the Operations Manager for David Knox Productions. Nicole also enjoys photography and serves on the Board of a local photography club. Her husband, Chris, and their two young boys, are huge supporters of Nicole and her handbell obsession.