BRENDA AUSTIN (b. 1972)is a native of Southwest Michigan, has been serving First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, MI, as Director of Worship and Music since 2003. At the church, Brenda directs several handbell choirs of all ages and levels, as well as directing the Chancel Choir and Praise Band. She is the newly appointed Artistic Director for the Detroit Handbell Ensemble. Brenda is active in the community directing Children's musical theatre and handbell choirs at the elementary school. Each year, in partnership with Chelsea United Methodist Church, the church hosts an annual handbell festival where Brenda has served as conductor and clinician. Additionally, Brenda is a freelance handbell composer, arranger and clinician.

Brenda graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University. She completed her Master's of Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Missouri - Kansas City under the tutorship of Master Conductor Eph Ehly. Brenda received many awards for her conducting including being a semi-finalist in the ACDA National Student Conducting Competition in Washington D.C., and a finalist in the Graduate ACDA Student Conducting Competition in San Diego, CA.

Since her first publication in 2015, she has had compositions and arrangements published at Beckenhorst Press, the Lorenz Corporation, SoundForth, Jeffers Publishing, Alfred Publishing, GIA Music, From the Top Music and Chorister's Guild.