Percussion

In the growing genre of solo English handbells, Linda Krantz, Solo Handbell
Artist, has been wowing audiences with her artistry and skill since 2005. A visual
as well as musical performer, a handbell soloist must combine the fluid grace of a
dancer, the musicality of a virtuoso, and the precision of an athlete to perform on
this demanding instrument. She is a master in all three.
Linda has played throughout the United States and Europe and has been a solo
guest artist several times in the Pasadena Symphony Holiday Candlelight concerts.
She has premiered several original works, two of which she herself commissioned.
Her love of classical music is exhibited in the music she plays (her favorite is
Faurè), transcribing their works for her instrument. She was a featured concert
soloist at National Seminar of the Handbell Musicians of America, a national
organization promoting the advancement of the art of handbell ringing.
All across the country Linda teaches the techniques and skills necessary for a solo
handbell musician, encouraging young handbell musicians along the way. She
regularly conducts a Master Class in Solo Ringing, sponsored by Handbell
Musicians of America.
Linda is the founding member of L. A. Bronze, a semi-professional handbell
ensemble which regularly performs in Southern California, as well as being a
regular guest artist of the Pasadena Symphony’s Holiday Candlelight Concert.
Linda resides in Glendale with her husband, Bill and her darling dog, Gracie.

Percussionist, composer, educator, writer, and cultural policy consultant - Sidney Hopson is a consummate arts professional.

A member of the Grammy-nominated ensemble WildUp, he has performed with the LA Philharmonic, LA Chamber Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Juneau Symphony, LA Opera, American Modern Opera Company (AMOC), Long Beach Opera, Color of Noize, LA Master Chorale, Muse-ique, Pasadena Symphony & POPS, and Southeast Symphony.  He has performed at the Academy Awards, La Jolla Music Society SummerFest, Spoleto Festival USA, Sick New World Festival, Coachella Festival, Ojai Music Festival, Lincoln Center Festival, SF Jazz, Hear Now Music Festival, the Kennedy Center’s RiverRun Festival, and NPR’s Tiny Desk.

Hopson has performed alongside, recorded for, and toured with a vast range of artists, including:  John Adams, Adele, Adam Blackstone, James Conlon, Billie Eilish, Danny Elfman, Peter Eötvös, Earth Wind & Fire, Rhiannon Giddens, Alan Gilbert, Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Sumi Jo, Chaka Khan, Seth MacFarlane, Wynton Marsalis, Rickey Minor, Anderson.Paak, T-Pain, Dirty Projectors, Ellen Reid, Rihanna, Craig Robinson, The Roots, Huang Ruo, Kaija Saariaho, Tyshawn Sorey, John Williams, Stevie Wonder, and more.   He has recorded for over 200 motion picture scores, including: Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), Superman (2025), Elio, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Avatar: The Way of Water, NOPE, Encanto, and Coming 2 America. He can be heard on the newly re-recorded score to The Wizard of Oz at Sphere (Las Vegas).

Hopson produces programs, policy, and strategic plans for culture organizations, government agencies, and artists in the United States and abroad. He is currently developing a record label in Jordan for refugee-artists and collaborating in efforts to restore creative freedom in Afghanistan.

He has presented policy research at the United Nations General Assembly and the NATO Summit - in addition to guest masterclasses and lectures at The Juilliard School, USC, Butler University, CalArts, and the Music Academy of the West.