Sharon Birch grew up in Pocomoke City, Maryland, attending first St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and then Salem United Methodist Church. She sang in various choirs from kindergarten through her senior year of high school. Sharon began taking piano lessons in the third grade, and started learning to play the flute and piccolo in the fourth grade. Band and piano were part of her life through college. The University of Maryland (Baltimore County), Salisbury University and Millersville University in Pennsylvania were all part of her adult education, leading to a teaching career in Spanish that is now in its thirtieth year.
In 1989, she was a charter member in the Jubilate Bell Choir under the direction of Taylor Harvey, then becoming its director in 1996. Subsequently, she initiated the choir for grades 6-12 that was first called Carillon Bells, and is now Revelation Ringers. That was quickly followed by the choir for grades 3-5, Alleluia Chimes, which is today called the Krazy Kidz Ringers. Next came Heavenly Bells (now Celebration Ringers) for middle school, and finally, the Chiming Belles for the mature ladies. As music was such an integral part of her life in the early years, it continues an active role both in her teaching of Spanish as well as her roles in church.
Her three children are grown and pursuing careers of their own: Joey, as an ocean engineer; Caitlin, as a writer and editor; Josh, as a communications major at the University of Maryland. Currently interests lead Sharon in many directions. She is a board member for the Maryland Foreign Language Teachers Association; a technology leader for Wicomico County and James M. Bennett High School; department chair for world languages; and a local, national and occasional national presenter of workshops on language, music, technology and history. She loves the beach, books, music and travel.
