Penobscot Bay Ringers

Penobscot Bay Ringers was founded as a community handbell choir by Ella Saltonstall and Leigh Smith in June 2008.

Penobscot Bay Ringers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the IRS Code. We have obtained and annually maintain our license from the State of Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, as a charitable organization, permitting us to solicit, accept, and obtain contributions for charitable purposes. PBR’s financial records are available for inspection and review upon request.

Penobscot Bay Ringers is led by a Board of Directors which is responsible for the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the organization as well as our long-term planning. Penobscot Bay Ringers’ elected non-paid leaders include the following individuals:

Debra Hall
President

Debra Has been ringing handbells for more than 50 years, beginning at the age of 11. Her music education began at the age of 6 when she first learned piano and continued through college with a full-tuition music scholarship on clarinet. Debra served as a church organist for more than two decades, beginning in high school, through law school and beyond. 

Debra has been the President of PBR Board since 2015. She has focused since 2005 on solo and ensemble ringing and has performed as a soloist at charitable concerts in Naples, FL, Dallas, TX, and Midcoast Maine. Debra is the Ensemble Coordinator for PBR.

Debra has a political science degree and a Juris Doctor in Law since 1980. She continues to practice reinsurance law, along with her husband. 

Debra has been Chair of the Rockport Select Board, has led a multi-town effort to expand broadband through Midcoast communities, and currently chairs the Rockport Economic Development Committee. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the PAWS Animal Adoption Center. 

Debra resides in Rockport with her husband, Bob, and together they are the servants of their wonderful yellow labradors, Kelsey and Poppy. 

Leigh Smith
Corresponding Secretary

Mentored by an original Beacon Hill Handbell Ringer, Leigh Smith, 2008 PBR Co-Founder, has been ringing for 46 years. Playing live on Boston radio with the Lexington, Massachusetts 'Grace Chapel Handbell Choir', she founded three Massachusetts bell choirs.  In 2006, she established Camden's Ringing in the Season, which has brought in thousands of dollars for Maine charities.  She's rung locally with Choral Bells, Upper Room Bell Ensemble, Bells of Aldersgate, and Timbrel Ringers, and also played clarinet.  

Leigh retired from nursing in 2008, after 42 years.  She had worked as an RN in California plastic surgery, at a Boston junior college, and for Oncology, Neuro/Neurosurgery, Kidney, Liver, and Stem-Cell Transplants at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, now known as Beth Israel/Lahey Health, in Burlington, MA.

More than a dozen orchids fill her Camden home. Leigh retired from handbell ringing in December 2023, with her husband Ron's declining health. He passed away in May 2024, after 57 years of a happy marriage. Two children, two grandchildren, and several volunteer activities keep her occupied. Her beloved dog, Bailey-Sabrina, lost her cancer battle in December 2025.

Amy Rollins
Treasurer and Artistic Director

Amy Rollins joined Penobscot Bay Ringers in 2008 as a founding ringer and became Artistic Director for the group in 2013. She was Board President from 2010 through 2014 and now serves as Treasurer and Artistic Director.

Using her creative talents and marketing expertise, Amy designed PBR's logo in 2009, and she writes all press releases and designs all concert posters and programs for the group.

To stay current in handbell education, Amy regularly attends seminars and workshops sponsored by Handbell Musicians of America (HMA). She also serves on the steering committee for the biennial Maine Spring Ring and as Communications Director for HMA Area 1. 

Bethany Fontaine
Recording Secretary

Bethany began ringing handbells in 2017, when she joined Penobscot Bay Ringers. She currently serves as Recording Secretary to the Board of Directors. She has been playing piano for more than five decades and served as a church pianist for nearly 20 years.

Bethany has a BS Degree in Biology from the University of Michigan and an MPH degree in Health Education from the Loma Linda University School of Public Health. She is the owner/principal of Technicality Resources, a company that offers biomedical technical writing, editing, training, and consulting.

Living in Rockland, Bethany enjoys spending time with her two daughters and four grandchildren.

Emily Emmott
Vice President

With her mother directing the handbell choir at her childhood church, Emily has been ringing handbells since she was 11 years old. She continued to ring through college with the Mount Holyoke College Handbell Choir, in South Hadley, MA. Emily started ringing with the Penobscot Bay Ringers in 2017 and maintains the website and all social media platforms. 

Emily obtained a major in Psychology and a minor in Vocal Jazz Performance from MHC. She currently works as a data management and auditing consultant in the biotech arena. 

Originally from Massachusetts, Emily now lives in Rockland with her husband, Ian, where they are restoring their Victorian home to its former glory. If not working on the house, you may find Emily in her garden, boating on the Penobscot Bay, or running with their Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Brewster. Ruling the roost are their three Applehead Siamese cats, Emmie, Grady, and Nixie.