Founder & Director

Nancy Youngman, of Lincoln, Nebraska, has been a handbell choir director since 1984, and currently directs four handbell choirs in two churches with ringers’ ages ranging from 5 to 94!  She is the founder/director of Bell-issimo, Lincoln’s auditioned Community Handbell Choir.  Nancy has degrees in Instrumental Music and German, and recently retired from Lincoln Public Schools where she taught both subjects.  Since 1990, she has been a member of the Nebraska State Handbell Committee and is currently State Chair (as well as in 1994 – 1996).  She has served on the Area 8 Board of Handbell Musicians of America as Secretary, and is currently the Area 8 Chimes Chair, with the purpose of getting chimes into the educational setting.  She has taught at workshops throughout Nebraska and neighboring states, as well as at Area 8 Festivals and has served as clinician for several handbell workshops.  Nancy is an accomplished saxophone player, loves animals, and her husband and two adult children (as well as her daughter-in-law) all play handbells!