Our Dancers
ADAMS WATSON, CAROL
Carol Adams Watson studied ballet as a teenager. She earned a BFA in Theatre and has been in and out of theatre ever since, acting, directing, designing, making costumes, selling tickets and just about everything else, in summer stock, semi-professional as well as community theatre. After teaching speaking and writing to college freshmen in Iowa community colleges for 33 years, Carol retired to Tucson. She started tap dancing with the Sophisticated Dancers in 1998. Carol serves as Board Secretary and Newsletter Editor for Tucson Stars on Taps, Inc., Tap Sensation's umbrella organization. Carol has performed with the Sophisticated Dancers and Tap Sensation.
AHRENS, JAN
After graduating from college, Jan worked as an operating room nurse and managed rental property. She and her husband of 51 years have three children. Jan was very active in figure skating. She retired from competitive skating after winning two medals at the 2001 Adult Figure Skating Competition. Besides tap dancing, Jan enjoys swimming and sewing. Jan performs with Tap Sensation.
ALLEN, SAUNDRA
I was born in Virginia, at the age of two I was moved to Massachusetts where I was raised and lived until I retired after 14 years as an Office Assistant and Payroll clerk from NSTAR Electric and Gas. I am the mother of four and the grandmother of nine, ranging from 10 yr old twins to 25 yrs. I have a bachelors degree in Religious Arts, Christian Counseling, and a Masters degree in Ministry. I have had a love of dance for as long as I can remember so I decided to take tap and never could have imagined that I would actually have the opportunity to perform since I have had no previous training. I enjoy traveling when I have the opportunity and I also enjoy reading murder mysteries and doing crossword and other brain challenging puzzles.
BOHAN, DIANE
In the past, Diane has worked as a legal secretary, a professional model, a teacher and an accountant. She is a wife, mother of three and grandmother of six. Diane is now a real estate broker. With such a varied background, Diane never would have guessed in her wildest dreams that she would become a tap dancing grandmother! Diane has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
BROOKS, SUSAN
Susan comes to us from Green Valley after a year of Tap lessons and dancing in the "FOLLIES." As a child she had six years of ballet and three years of toe.
Susan and her husband, Jerry, moved to Green Valley in 1997 when Jerry retired at 55 from GE. Susan has worked for several newspapers back in Massachusetts and THE GREEN VALLEY NEWS selling advertising. She has worked for many years as a realtor. Between them Susan and Jerry have 8 children and 15 grandchildren.
BROOME, GINNY
A New Jersey native with an extensive background in music, a gift for languages and a gypsy soul, Ginny went from a career as a bilingual diplomatic secretary in New York and San Francisco to 35 years as an international flight attendant. Now retired and living in Tucson with her husband, Ed, Ginny finds tap dancing a great and fun way to express her love of music and rhythm. Her two adult children living in Portland think it’s wonderful. Ginny has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
ELDRED, MARLENE
Marlene was born and raised in San Francisco. After working in the insurance industry in the Transamerica Pyramid Building for 7 years, she switched to the computer industry and worked for Hewlett-Packard's computer and medical divisions for 10 years. Marlene married her wonderful husband, Bob, in 1990 and they moved to Tucson in 1991. Here, she sang with the Foothills Women’s Chorus for 13 years. Marlene took her first tap lesson in 2001 and has loved tap dancing ever since. Marlene has performed with the Sophisticated Dancers and Tap Sensation.
FRANCISCO, HELEN
As long as she can remember, Helen has dreamed of becoming a dancer. She started taking dance lessons when she was 5 years old - tap, ballet, and later toe - until she graduated from high school, then studied modern dance at the University of Arkansas. Helen's dream almost came true when she met Al Alberts and the Four Aces at a concert in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1956. The group invited her to watch the show from backstage the following night, - what a thrill! Instead, Helen is happy to say, she became an Air Force pilot’s wife and has three beautiful children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Helen's dream finally came true when she joined the Hot Flashes in 1995. Helen has performed with the Hot Flashes, Tucson Prunes Take 2, and Tap Sensation.
GREEN, JEANNE
Before moving to Tucson in 1997, my husband and I lived in Peru, China, Indonesia and various places in the US. I spent most of my free time working as a volunteer at the American Schools while living in mining camps. While living in Vermont, at the age of 45, I returned to school to become a Medical Assistant. Bob and I have been married for 58 years. I am the proud mother of two daughters, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Tap is a new and wonderful experience and I hope to continue with Tap Sensation for many years.
HAEBIG, MILLIE
Millie is a registered nurse. She works as a Clinical Nurse Leader in the Preadmission Department at a local hospital. In addition to dancing, Millie enjoys playing the piano and gardening. Her greatest joy is spending as much time as possible with her six grandchildren. Millie has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
HALVERSON, PEGGY
Peggy's calling has been as a “domestic goddess,” having raised four children and a husband. As her reward, she now enjoys six grandchildren and her first great-grandchild. Peggy volunteered for many years for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, acting as the voice of a child in court proceedings. Her special achievement is becoming a Life Master at the game of Duplicate Bridge.
HAMMOND, JANE
When Jane was a young girl, she always imagined that show business would be in her future. That dream remained dormant while she married, raised five children and traveled to many places in the world. Jane's secret dream was fulfilled when she joined the Hot Flashes. When she's not dancing, Jane enjoys swimming and giving small dinner parties, and finds some way to enjoy life every day! Jane has performed with the Tucson Prunes Take 2, the Hot Flashes, and Tap Sensation.
HOWARD, LORI
Lori started tapping when she was 5. It was her parent’s idea to get her involved with the hopes that it would make her so tired she would be calm. Little did they know it would become a love for life?
Lori moved to Tucson in 1982 from Shreveport, Louisiana to attend the University of Arizona. She fell in love with the desert & decided to make Tucson her home. She currently works for Randall & Richards, a commercial debt recovery company, as a senior account rep.
HURTT, BARBARA
Barbara tap danced from the age of three in Detroit. She joined her father in putting on USO shows for the troops. Barbara also danced on roller skates, which led to competition and a gold medal. Barbara worked as an Executive Secretary for Robin F. Williams (Robin Williams' father) at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan for 10 years. She and her husband Richard moved to Tucson 10 years ago and have one son who is in the military. Barbara has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
JONES, BARBARA
Barbara was born in Iowa. The daughter of a railroad man, her family did a lot of moving, living in Illinois, Utah, Califorina and Oregon as well as Arizona. Barbara met her husband Howard at Oregon State College and they have four children and 10 grandchildren. While raising children, she volunteered in the schools and worked various part-time office jobs as well as becoming a Weight Watchers Leader. Barbara danced as a child, and as an adult since l994. Along with travel, dancing is a big part of her life for mental, physical and social reasons. Barbara has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
KOMO, LINDA
Linda Komo, TSOT Costume Mistress, is our resident decorative artist and has degrees in Art, Spanish, Psychology and Counseling. Married to an Army Officer, she has lived in numerous places at home and abroad where she put her talents to work in teaching, painting, and counseling. Following the birth of their daughter Natasha, she decided to finally pursue a dream of dancing and began to take classes in ballet, tap, and jazz. She studied at various studios in the eastern United States and overseas until events with work and health put her dancing on hold. Her husband retired in Tucson in 2004 and their daughter works for the State Auditor Generals Office in Phoenix as an auditor. After seeing the Hot Flashes/Tap Sensation perform at the Tucson Home Show, she made the decision to return to dancing and is having the time of her life. Linda loves the energy and excitement with tap and is thrilled to have the opportunity to perform with Tap Sensation.
MALLON, LINDA
Linda was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. She holds a degree in Education from the University of Nebraska and one in Business Administration from George Mason University. Linda worked for the American Red Cross/Central Arizona Chapter in Phoenix for 20 years as the Accounting Director and then retired to Tucson in 2002. She began her tap dancing career in 2004 with Viola Marshall and has also taken from Carol McKay and Sherry Young. Linda's other interests include selling part time on Ebay and scrapbooking, where she has been published twice in national publications, and travel. "I feel privileged to be a part of Tap Sensation!", states Linda.
MOHNSEN, ZORA
OLSON, ADRIENNE
Adrienne says, “I’m a single, 58-year-old, ‘Great Clips for Hair’ pioneer and franchisee, from Bloomington, MN. Her business gave her the freedom to retire and move to Green Valley to care for her parents in 2001. After a 40-year stint of not tapping, she was able to join Green Valley Recreation and has been performing with the ‘Showgirls’ for the past 5 years. She is now looking for a new adventure in the world of tap, as well as an exciting challenge—“I think I’ve found it, in TSOT!”
PISTOTNIK, ROSILYN
Ro was a Registered Nurse on active duty with the United States Navy for 11 years, as well as a career Navy wife. She then had a second career as a Certified Travel Consultant for 25 years. Ro started tap dancing at the age of 69, and bears testimony that it is never too late to learn to tap dance. She and her husband have two children and one grandchild, the love of their lives. Ro has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
POOLE, JULIE
Julie is a veteran teacher of 28 years, having taught in the elementary and middle schools. She has been a crusader for the arts, especially in the schools. She considers herself a creative thinker and loves to entertain. Music and dance have always been a part of Julie's life, and she has dreamed of performing all her life. In joining our company Julie feels that she has accomplished a dream come true, and dance has put joy in her soul. Julie is proud to be a military mom. She and her husband Earl have been married for 37 years and have two sons. Julie has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
RYAN, MYRNA
I was born and grew up in Wichita, KS, where my dream from age 10 was to play in a major orchestra. to that end , I studied viola and majored in music and performance at Wichita State U, and at Indiana University. my first real professional job was with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. I played with them for two years, and then met and married the love of my life, Patrick. we had a son, Joel. when he was about 4 , I again sought to play professionally, and joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 1976. I had a really wonderful career with that group, traveling all over the world and performing in the world's best concert houses. I retired in 2006, and headed to Tucson, where the sun shines more than it does in Minnesota. I am now a widow, and my son Joel lives in Japan with his wife and my grandaughter, Megan, with whom I visit on Skype every weekend. I am thrilled to be associated with Tap Sensation. it's good to be back on stage, and in a better costume!! I am having a wonderful time and look forward to many performances. My other activities include tennis and quilting. I am an active member of the Tucson Quilter's Guild.
SCHWITTERS, SHARON
After attending business college, Sharon worked as a secretary, a full charge bookkeeper, and an accounting assistant. She volunteered in the school system as well as her three sons' school sports organizations. Sharon's hobbies include tap dancing, singing with the Foothills Women’s Chorus, and researching the latest developments in nutrition, health and physical fitness. Sharon has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
SHERMAN, REVA
Judy comes from a family of circus performers, and worked in advance promotion for Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus during their 100 year centennial celebration. She is also a former Hospital Medical Staff Credentialing Specialist. Judy and her husband Fred spend as much time as possible with their two beautiful grandchildren. Dancing has always brought joy into her life, and for the past eight years tap dancing has been her particular favorite. Judy has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
STEELE, LOIS
Lois learned to tap dance from her older cousin while in grade school on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana. She had no further opportunity to take dance classes until five years later in boarding school during her last two years of high school. During college, Lois danced in all the musicals and taught ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray Studio. She graduated from Colorado College with a degree in Zoology. Lois taught dance and other health and physical education courses at Rocky Mountain College the year after she graduated. She has taught at all levels from sixth grade through undergraduate college. Lois later attended medical school and is a board certified physician as well as an administrator and researcher at the U.S. Indian Health Service. One day about 15 years ago, Lois' granddaughter Sabi brought home a flyer seeking tap dancers over age 50. She joined the group - and it turned out to be the Hot Flashes! In addition to performing dance, Lois is a member of the singing group “The Prooners.” Lois credits her fellow dancers, who have become fast friends, for helping her through breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and being bald. Lois feels very lucky to have the opportunity to dance and the privilege to entertain the great audiences we encounter in Tucson. Lois has performed with the Sophisticated Dancers, Tucson Prunes Take 2, and the Hot Flashes.
THOMPSON, KAY
Kay was born in Pennsylvania. She became an Air Force wife, lived in England and Germany, raised two children, and ended up in Tucson. After retiring from Mountain Bell, Kay looked around for a new avocation. She has always loved dancing, especially ballroom dance, so she decided to start taking tap dance lessons. That led to joining our performing group. Kay never dreamed she'd be in stage makeup, wearing a glitzy costume, tap dancing on stage. Kay has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
WELLS, MARY
Mary spent the first 20 years of her adult life as a stay-at-home mom. For the next 20 years, she worked as a Management Information Director and an Education and Training Coordinator for a national rehabilitation commission. Mary retired from those demanding positions to make enough time to tap dance, and hopes to spend at least another 20 years performing with our dance troupe. She has ten grandchildren ages 9 to 25. Mary has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
WISELY, MARY
Mary began studying tap, ballet, acrobatics and piano at age 8. In her teens and from 1971 through 1995, she was very active in roller skate dancing. Mary is a retired D.T.R. from Tucson Unified School District Food Services. Her three daughters and six grandchildren live here in Tucson. Mary and her husband Al enjoy traveling, and square dance wherever they go. They both are involved and support “Arts Express” and the Fine Arts Youth Academy. Mary has performed with the Hot Flashes and Tap Sensation.
YOUNG, SHERRY
