Richard J. Colla-Artistic Director

Richard J. Colla is artistic director and conductor of the Opus Handbell Ensemble. He is also the full-time Minister of Music and Worship at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Modesto where he has directed a variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles since 1990. Richard joined the Modesto Junior College music faculty on a part-time basis in the spring of 2003. He currently directs the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers and teaches An Introduction to American Popular Music. He has also taught Music Appreciation and Music Fundamentals. Richard has also served as a member of the voice faculty at California State University, Stanislaus, and is an active adjudicator and lecturer. He has presented lectures on a variety of topics including vocal technique and literature, choral literature and methods, as well as handbell techniques. He and his wife, Ginger, also conduct joint workshops in vocal techniques.

Richard is very active as a bass-baritone soloist and has appeared extensively in recital, oratorio and opera performances. Richard served a four-year term (1993-1997) as the California State Chair for Repertoire and Standards of Music in Worship for The American Choral Director's Assoc. (ACDA). He has also published articles in The NATS Journal for the National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Cantate California for the American Choral Director's Assoc., and The Journal for the Choral Conductor's Guild. Richard received his bachelor of music degree with honors from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in vocal performance, and his Master of Music degree at the University of Illinois in choral conducting.

Richard and his wife, Ginger, were honored as the recipients of the 2007 Excellence in Arts Awards for music by the Stanislaus Arts Council. Richard’s choir at Trinity (Koinonia Choir) was invited to participate in a performance of John Rutter’s Requiem in New York’s famous Carnegie Hall in 2005. The Koinonia Choir and Opus Handbell Ensemble just completed a tour to England in June (2008). As part of that tour, the choir and Opus participated in the International Church Music Festival in Coventry under the direction of Sir David Wilcox. Following the Festival, the touring group traveled around England and gave separate performances.

Beth has been involved in instrumental and vocal music for many years. Beginning at age seven, she has played piano and flute and sang in a choir. She graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, where she was a member of the Concert Band, Orchestra, Concert Choir, Collegiate Chorale, and Madrigal Singers, with degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Currently, she enjoys singing with Trinity Presbyterian vocal groups. Beth has taught elementary school for 19 years.

Janet started her music career with the requisite piano lessons as a child and on to choir in high school under the direction of Ted Dixon and in college under the tutelage of Gary Unruh. Janet earned a degree in theatre, then spent a year traveling with the International musical group, “Up With People!” She started ringing handbells at Sacred Heart Church in Turlock and rang there for seven years. She has been ringing with Opus since Christmas of 2006. Janet is a substitute teacher for the Turlock and surrounding school districts and has subbed in every grade from K through 8th as well as music, choir and band.

Michele Meenk

Michele was born and raised in Los Angeles and moved with her family to Modesto in 2001. She is a student at CSU Stanislaus, majoring in Psychology and is interested in working with autistic children. Michele is very involved in music. She was a member of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus and has been in several musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma, Sound of Music and Les Miserables. She plays baritone saxophone in MoBand every summer and sometimes plays for her high school’s plays. Michele began playing handbells in elementary school, starting in 1997. She has also played piano for a number of years and completed Certificate of Merit level ten, earning her senior medallion.

Sally Price

Sally was born in Stockton, California, and raised as an “Air Force brat.” She rang five years with Echoes of Joy at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, and with Opus off and on for eight years. Sally received her B.A. in Music and Psychology from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and her M.A. in Education from Stanford. She has been a music teacher for 35 years in Turlock at both high schools and at Turlock Junior High. Her adult children are each musically inclined; her son creates music with sampling and plays guitar and bass; her daughter played piano and like her brother, has an eclectic collection on her Ipod. Her husband, Bob, tried a variety of musical instruments while in high school and, thankfully, decided his talents lie elsewhere! He remains an enthusiastic supporter of his musical family. In her scarce free time, Sally enjoys spending time with her family in traveling, playing the piano, knitting and trying out new recipes.

Lori Smith *

Lori discovered handbells at church during her highschool days, and has enjoyed playing them through the years whenever they were available.  Her background includes Dunaj International Dance Ensemble, Stockton Chorale, various church choirs, piano, clarinet, and guitar.  She greatly enjoys travel, and has recently discovered the fun of working backstage in community theater.  Last summer she sharpened her skills by attending a handbell workshop at the Zephyr Point Conference Grounds in Lake Tahoe, which reignited her passion for handbells.  Most recently, she has helped revitalize the handbell choir at the Presbyterian church in Tracy, CA.

**Booking Coordinator 

*  Board Member