National Events - Canada Rings! - Ottawa, Ontario
Debbie Rice
Debbie Rice is currently artistic director with the Handbell Society of Edmonton. In 2024 she was awarded the International Handbell Laureate Award in Japan while representing Canada as mass conductor for her groundbreaking leadership work in addition to having served as clinician, adjudicator and conductor with international assignments in 25 countries.
Her degrees are in music education, opera and musical theater.
She has faithfully served music ministries with multiple denominations and was a university professor for 12 years teaching music education, conducting choral and handbell ensembles, and offering private instruction.
Handbells and handchimes remain a lifelong passion as she continues to bring this instrument into new communities through international handbell tours which in 2025 included Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary.
Debbie draws on her vast experience as a professional singer and choral/handbell conductor, with a passion for teaching to nurture and hopefully inspire musicians of all ages at every level.
Workshop Details:
Friday, November 6 Workshop for Directors/Leaders:Moving From Score Study to Making Music
Score study provides a plan designed for an efficient use of rehearsal time. This workshop will outline one approach to score study, apply those techniques to a “rehearsal” (using participants as ringers) for musical/technical results and look at some general areas of rehearsal pitfalls. One selection of music on loan will be provided.
Saturday, November 7 Workshop for All Ringers/Leaders:
Take Your Techniques to the Next Level
Audiences hear what they see you do. This is a review of the basic foundations for ringing offering specific technique reminders and details for achieving the best sound from your handbell instrument.
