Meet your 2026 candidates for the Area 9 Board of Directors!

Voting will begin May 15, 2026 and end June 15, 2026.  HMA members will be notified by the national organization before and during the voting process. 

Chair Elect

Cyndi Erp-Long

Cyndi Erp-Long has been singing and ringing in her church for more than half her
life. She is a graduate of Texas Lutheran College, earning a BA in Marketing.  She
also holds an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.  Joining
the River City Ringers of San Antonio in 2010, and currently President of the
group, she enjoys being able to continue to grow as a handbell musician and
educate and entertain our audiences on the art of handbell ringing.  She is
currently the South Texas Representative for HMA Area 9 and, professionally, is
the North American Healthcare Conferences Manager for Solventum, working
remotely from her home in San Antonio.  A military ‘brat,’ she settled in San
Antonio when she was in 6th grade.  She and her husband Dan enjoy traveling,
going to the Texas Wine Country and baseball games, and watching Spurs
basketball.

Stephen Wurst

Stephen Wurst currently serves as Director of Music Ministries and Organist at
McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman, OK, overseeing a vibrant
music ministry of ten graded ensembles. He directs 4 of the 7 handbell ensembles
there, which range from elementary ages to seasoned ringers. An active
composer of church music arrangements and handbell music, he is recently
published with Beckenhorst Press.
Stephen holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Masters degrees in organ performance
from the University of Oklahoma. His undergraduate studies were at Concordia
University Wisconsin, where he rang in the Alleluia Ringers under Dr. John
Behnke. He started ringing in a chime choir in his home church and has always
enjoyed directing and ringing with groups of all ages.

Secretary

Evan Berryman

Evan Berryman is a lifelong musician and all around nerd. He has been ringing handbells since second grade and ringing in professional level choirs since 2016, currently with River City Ringers in San Antonio.  Highlights of his ringing career include being part of the National
Honors Handbell Ensemble in 2018, performing the opening performance of the National Seminar in 2019 and 2022, and participating in three College Ring-In events. Outside of ringing, he earned his Eagle Scout badge and black belt in tae kwon do in 2018. More recently, he
graduated from Baylor University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s of Computer Science. In his free time, he likes playing video games and going thrift shopping.

Megan Corey

Megan Corey currently rings with the Tulsa Festival Ringers and at Boston Avenue
United Methodist Church in downtown Tulsa. She began ringing at McFarlin
Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman, Oklahoma, joining an ensemble in
fifth grade and developing a lifelong love of handbells.
She was selected for the National Youth Handbell Ensemble in 2016–2019 and
was named National Youth Handbell Musician of the Year in her first year. In
2021, she returned in a leadership role at the invitation of director Kevin
McChesney after aging out of eligibility. During 2021–2022, she served as
Handbell Intern at McFarlin Memorial, assisting six ensembles and occasionally
directing. She has participated in Area 9 events and previously taught festival
classes on technique and beginner bell tree.
Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science with a minor
in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and completed her Doctorate in
Occupational Therapy in 2025. She works as an Occupational Therapist at a rural
critical access hospital, serving patients across the lifespan.
She is honored to serve the Area 9 community and support handbell ministry
throughout the region.

Treasurer

Jeanne Christopherson

Jeanne Christopherson grew up in Northern California and has been involved in
music since the age of 12. In 1990, she registered for a college handbell course
and was instantly hooked. In 1997, after moving to the Dallas area and
substituting several times in rehearsal with the Dallas Handbell Ensemble, she was
invited by Arnold Sherman to join East Texas Handbell Ensemble in Tyler and rang
with them until the group disbanded in 2014. She served with the planning
committee for the original Pinnacle 2000, an AGEHR event designed for the
performing ringer; she subsequently co-chaired Pinnacle 2002 and chaired
Pinnacle 2004. She currently rings with Concert Bells of Fort Worth and the
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Ringers in Dallas. Jeanne is honored to serve as the current Treasurer of Area 9. She retired from her day job in 2022 after 22 years as an Executive Assistant for technology executives with Bank of America and now stays busy with her home-based custom cookie decorating business. Jeanne and her husband, Brian, live in Plano with their two rambunctious pups. They are the proud parents of two grown children and enjoy spending time with their two wonderful grandchildren, ages 17 and 3, as often as possible.

Mark Usrey

Mark Usrey has long been passionate about the art and community of handbells and is honored to be considered for the role of Treasurer for Area IX of the Handbell Musicians of America. He currently serves as Music Director of the Tulsa Festival Ringers, where he works to inspire musical excellence while fostering a spirit of collaboration and encouragement among ringers. He also directs the adult handbell choir at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Broken Arrow, nurturing both musical growth and fellowship.

A committed member of the handbell community, Mark previously served on the Area IX Board and has contributed to numerous event planning committees, supporting festivals, workshops, and educational opportunities that strengthen and connect ringers across the region. He understands firsthand the importance of strong leadership and thoughtful stewardship in sustaining the vibrant programs that enrich our organization.

In addition to his musical leadership, Mark brings extensive financial experience to the table. He has served as Treasurer for several organizations, including the Green Country Soccer Association in Tulsa and multiple Scout units. In these roles, he managed budgets, oversaw financial reporting, and ensured transparency and accountability — always with a focus on careful stewardship of resources.

With a heart for service, a deep appreciation for the mission of Handbell Musicians of America, and proven financial leadership experience, Mark is committed to supporting the board’s continued growth and stability for years to come.