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Jan holds an A.B.
degree in music (Hanover College) and a M.M. in choral conducting
(Colorado State University). She has taught both middle school and high
school vocal music in North Carolina and Virginia, and has also served as
director of music for a variety of denominations for over 30 years.
Mrs. Van Valey has worked with handbells since 1978 when she began her
studies with Donald Allured. She is an active member of the American Guild
of English Handbell Ringers, having served as Michigan State Chair, Chair
of the Handbell Industry Council, Co-Chairman of the National Youth
Handbell Camp, and as a member of CHIME, (Committee on Handbells in Music
Education). She has just completed a four-year term as the National
Secretary and has also served as the Chair of the AGEHR Endowment.
Mrs. Van Valey is the co-author of the handbell curriculum, "Learning To
Ring," published by The Lorenz Corporation, as well as two resource books
for elementary music teachers published by AGEHR. She has also written
numerous articles on the use of bells and chimes. She is the founder and
director of The Kalamazoo Ringers, one of the oldest community handbell
choirs in the country, established in 1981.
As an experienced teacher and director, Mrs. Van Valey has served as an
in-service instructor for schools, as a clinician for handbell workshops,
state music education meetings, Choristers Guild, and denominational
church conferences. She has also been a guest conductor for many massed
bell festivals and conferences.
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