Marie Clyatt-Larson began her musical journey with handbells at the age of 5 and percussion at 9, performing with the Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra by the age of 11. She studied at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy as a percussion major and was selected to participate in a masterclass with renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie during her time at Kansas University.
From 2000 to 2005, Marie rang with the Lawrence FUMC advanced ensemble and directed the church’s other handbell ensembles. Beginning in 2006, she directed ensembles at First Presbyterian Church and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waco, Texas. Marie was very involved with the annual Mo Ranch/PAM Worship and Music Conference, playing in the advanced ensembles and serving as the children and beginning adult handbell clinician in 2014.
In 2018, she began performing with Queen City Bronze in Ohio on bass bells and was commissioned to compose a piece for Waco Presbyterian Church. Additionally, she has taught mallet techniques at Handbell Musicians of America events, effectively blending her percussion expertise with handbell artistry.
Currently, Marie continues to share her love of handbells at Knox Presbyterian Church, directing a community ensemble, teaching private lessons and writing new music using handbells in creative ways.