2026 Area 12 Election of Officers
We encourage all of Area 12’s voting members to participate in this year’s Board of Directors elections, held electronically through the Handbell Musicians of America’s confidential online voting system. For information on how to cast your vote, please click the button below or at the bottom of this page to visit the voting instructions page, which also contains a link to the electronic ballot.
After much hard work by our nominating committee and discussions with our National Board, Area 12 has decided to move forward with this election with an incomplete slate. We realize this is technically against our Bylaws, but delaying the election is also against our Bylaws, so we find ourselves in a catch-22. Area 12 is not alone in having difficulty finding people willing to run for election, many of the Areas are having to delay elections or leave positions temporarily unfilled. At this time the Handbell Musicians of America National Board has advised us to move forward with what we have. We continue to look for people willing to be able to serve in our open position(s), and would be delighted to hear from you if you are interested in serving on the board.
For information about the candidate(s) for each office, please review the current slate of Board Officer candidates and their bios below.
Chair Elect
Tessique Houston
Tessique holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Reno, where her main instrument was flute. She has been ringing handbells since she fell in love with them during her student teaching in 1995. She is the Director of Handbell Ministries at Walnut Creek UMC, the director of Tapestry Ringer and Singers, teaches at various handbell clinics throughout the area, and rings with Sonos Handbell Ensemble. Tessique taught Elementary General Music (K-6) for ten years, and now works part time as a substitute teacher. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. She served Area 12 in the Chair cycle from 2014-2020, as Education Chair from 2005-2014, and as Acting Past-Chair in 2023-2024. In her spare time she enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, and her newest hobby, knitting. Tessique and her husband, Brian, enjoy get-a-ways with their 5th wheel, taking their cats along for the adventures.
Secretary
Carol Flint
Carol Flint is the current Secretary for Area 12 up for re-election to a second term. Carol is a recently retired Engineering Program Manager. She got her bachelors degree in Computer Engineering from University of Michigan. While at the UofM, she was a clarinet player in the Michigan Marching Band and Saxophone in the Michigan Hockey Band. Carol relocated to San Jose, California in 1985.
Carol was introduced to handbells in 2007 after joining a church in Saratoga that had a handbell choir. Shortly after she began ringing, she was invited to audition for Low Ding Zone, thus beginning her love of the great big bells. She is currently ringing in 2 other community handbell choirs, Velocity and Bay Bells, in addition to her church choir.
Rachel Hines
Rachel Hines brings over fourteen years of teaching experience across a range of grade levels, along with a lifelong passion for handbells. She began ringing as a child, continued during her time at Concordia University Irvine, and has directed middle school handbell ensembles since 2014. She remains actively involved in the handbell community, regularly performing and competing with her group.
Rachel holds a Master of Arts in Education (MAED) with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Irvine. She also earned her undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies with a specialization in Lutheran Education from the same institution and holds a certificate from the School Leadership and Development Program (SLED) within the Missouri Synod
Through her work in education and music leadership, Rachel has developed strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a clear, professional communication style. She is excited for the opportunity to become more involved in the handbell community through this role.
Treasurer
Marc Davidson
Marc Davidson has been ringing for four years and currently rings with Bay Bells and Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, and is an aspiring handbell arranger with one song premiered by Bay Bells. He has participated in the Bay Area Spring Ring for three years, serving as Registrar for the past two years. He has a master’s degree in materials engineering, and by day he works as a mechanical engineer in Silicon Valley. He enjoys musical theater, crossword puzzles, games of all types, and woodworking. He has greatly enjoyed playing bells in small ensembles and hopes to expand his repertoire.