Susan's interest in music began at an early age when she started piano lessons.  While she loved the accomplishment, she was not a fan of memorizing pieces for recitals or the fact her sister could play the same pieces by ear with seemingly no practice.  Participating in an award winning high school band (Waverly, NE) was a highlight of her musical career - playing flute and oboe under the direction of the legend Bob Maag.  In college, her church established their first hand chime choir and Susan joined up.  After a brief break of a couple years getting married and starting a family, Susan reached out to the handbell director at St. Mark's United Methodist and said she would like to learn handbells.  She was called into service for an Easter service with just one practice and hasn't looked back.  She is one of the original members of Bell-issimo and will play as long as the director puts up with her! 

When she is not ringing bells, Susan works for Nelnet, volunteers as a canine trainer for Domesti-PUPS, and loves to travel.  She has been married to Randy for 35 years and has two kids - one who has been ringing handbells for about 15 years and is also now a member of Bell-issimo! Her home is run (or overrun?) by two Golden Retrievers - Maybelline and Tango - and a rotating variety of service dogs and rescues in training!