Dallas Tap Dazzlers...Our Dancers

OUR DANCERS... Meet this talented group of ladies!

	FRANCES DEMPSEY, Director/Choregrapher Dazzler since 1990 Frances, a former officer of the Kilgore College Rangerettes kicks into high gear as founding Director/Choreographer of the exciting and in-demand DALLAS TAP DAZZLERS. Born and raised in Oak Cliff -- currently lives in Farmers Branch, married to Tom, both active members of First Baptist Church/Richardson (yes, some Baptists DO dance!) and has one daughter. Frances directed a ladies performing choral group for 10 years before exchanging her song sheets for tap shoes.
	GENELL KELSO Dazzler since 1990 Genell is a co-founding dancer of Dallas Tap Dazzlers . Dr. Kelso, a charter faculty member of Dallas County Community College District/El Centro College, taught Speech Communication and English there 1966-2001; she's now an Emeritus Professor. Genell is married to Mark Kelso, a charter faculty member of Richland College where he taught English 1972-2000; now an Emeritus Professor. They have 3 children, 4 grandchildren. As owner-producer of Upbeat Teleproductions since 1984, Genell has written / composed music / produced four full-length children’s telemusicals and numerous novelty music videos. Her musical history of Dallas 1839-1873, Little Old Dallas!, produced at El Centro College in 2004, earned her membership in ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers). She is currently writing a musical comedy trilogy about aging and dying
	DORIS SIMONS Dazzler She has performed with the Dallas Mavericks' GrannyAAcs at the Maverick games and on the national Steve Harvey Show. After retiring from her teaching job in the math department at Southern Methodist University, she became a music and theater student at Brookhaven College where she has been in over 20 plays, including musicals. She has also performed in the Senior Follies.
	BEVERLY GRAHAM, Costume Inventory/Scripts Dazzler since 1994 Beverly Graham spent all of her growing up years in Memphis, Tennessee (home of Elvis Presley) where music and dancing were a way of life. After college and becoming a hostess for Braniff Airways she married and raised four children. She still enjoys snow skiing with her family which now includes four grandchildren who have all taken up the sport. She has called Gainesville, Texas home since 1973, but seems to spend most of her time these days traveling up and down I35 to perform with the Dallas Tap Dazzlers and to play tennis in Denton which she’s been doing since 1985. She hopes to continue dancing with the Dazzlers for at least 20 more years.
	CARRON ATNIP Dazzler since 1994 Carron has actively served on several committees including; costume, event coordinator, and presently serves as Historian. She has co-designed and sewn several costumes, is one of the dancers in the "Proud Mary" ensemble, and enjoys performing at all different venues. Carron grew up in Sherman where she studied dance at the Mildred Chaffin Studio; graduated from Sherman High School and attended Grayson County College. As a member of the High School Band, she also was a member of the twirling line. Carron taught baton twirling for a number of years. Also; volunteered as sponsor/teacher for the twirling line and the flag corps with the Sherman High School Band and worked with Texas University Interscholastic League Secretary during registration for UIL contests in Dallas area. Coming to Dallas in 1982, she was employed by Republic Bank of Dallas, retiring from Bank of America after 25 years of service. Carron has 2 daughters, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. She is excited to be performer with the Senior Follies production. She was excited to have performed in the 2008 inaugural presentation of the Senior Follies as one of the "Piano Legs" dancers, as well as with the Dazzlers.
	SANDY MCCRAVY, Advisory Board Dazzler since 1995 Sandy and her husband have been married since 1961. They have two grown children who are married with six grandkids. Professionally she became a Registered Nurse with BS degree in 1961. Sandy is very involved in church at Christ United Methodist Church in Farmers Branch. She sings in the choir, attends Sunday school, and teaches Bible stories in Vacation Bible school. Sandy took up tap dancing to be a Dallas Tap Dazzler. She loves performing, tennis, traveling, singing and reading.
	PAT HOUSEL, Trim & Fabric Inventory/Performance Line-up/DIT Training Dazzler since 1996 An Iowa native, Pat began performing while in high school in Germany. She arrived in Texas where she met and married husband Allen, had 2 children, graduated from the University of Texas-Dallas, and worked for years as a technical project manager for Bank of America. Recently retired, she now spends much of her time dancing with the Dallas Tap Dazzlers. Additionally, she is honored to be Ms. Texas Senior America 2006 and serves as the Production Coordinator for the Ms. Texas Senior America pageant.
	EVELYN BORING Dazzler since 1996 Resides in Garland, Texas, with husband, Joe, who was a 3-sport letterman at Texas A&M and member of the Hall of Fame. Evelyn taught school for 34 years in Garland ISD. They have two children, 4 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Evelyn, along with her identical twin, appeared in TV commercials including Eye Masters, Viagra, Sprit of Texas, Harrah’s Casino, Toast of Texas and Charlie Pride Two Step. She has appeared in ‘D Magazine,’ The Spectacular Senior Follies, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and recently competed in the Ms. Texas Sr. America Pageant. Stage credits include Steve Harvey’s Big Time Show and Ninja Box Office Show. She was a two-year contestant on America’s Got Talent and performed as one of the Dallas Maverick’s GrannyAAC’s.
	GLENNA STONE-MORGAN Dazzler since 1996 Glenna, an original Valley Girl, was born and raised in Southern California. She has loved every minute of performing with the Dazzlers. She is a partially retired CPA after working at EDS for 25 years. She is the Treasurer of the Spectacular Senior Follies board and loves to play mah jongg and bridge and will read almost anything.
	DEE OLSEN, Assistant Choreographer/DIT Training DAZZLER since 1998 Dee was born in Kansas City, MO and began dance at the age of four. She appeared on the Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour in 1956. She owned her own dance studio in Overland Park, KS for 35 years before coming to Texas. She has been one of the original Dallas Mavericks' GrannyAAcs. Her performances included several local TV stations, Mavericks' Games and The Steve Harvey Show. She was also a contestant on America's Got Talent.
	CANDY KELLEY, Treasurer Dazzler since 1998 A Texas native, Candy was born in Fort Worth and has been dancing since the age of 3. She has performed with the Spectacular Senior Follies and the Dallas Mavericks' GrannyAAcs. Candy works full time as a senior buyer for a national distribution company and is married with children and grandchildren.
	SARAH SENTER, Advisory Board Dazzler since 1999 Sarah is from Red Oak, Texas and stays busy with her husband, Danny, having operating a successful drapery business. She has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She was Ms. Texas Senior America 2009.
	JERI THOMAS, Costume Chair Dazzler since 2000 Born in San Antonio, Texas, Jeri began dancing at the age of four. Becoming her passion, she never misses an opportunity to perform. She is a hair stylist by trade and owning her own salon. She is married to Rod, a Dallas native. For Jeri, dancing "Keeps her moving, and moving is Life."
	JANELL MYERS Dazzler since 2007 Janell has performed most of her life and loves to dance! She loves being married to Dan and spending time with her two children and grandbaby. Professionally she has a private psychotherapy practice and teaches at a major university. She also enjoys her church and friends, dancing with the 'Dallas Mavericks' GrannyAAcs, and volunteering for the Dallas Chapter of the American Red Cross.
	MARJORIE CUTLER (KIWI), Secretary Dazzler since 2006 Kiwi spent her formative years in the world of mathematics (BS, Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh 1967) and computers (25 years in software development with Goddard Space Flight Center, Southland Life Insurance Co. and Blue Cross Blue Shield of TX). While her daughter Kimberly was young she taught mathematics at R.L. Turner High School. Currently Marjorie enjoys serving on the Farmers Branch Historical Preservation and Restoration Board, is a Stephen Minister at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, member of several bridge groups and is honored to be dancing with the Dallas Tap Dazzlers. By the way, her life-long nickname ‘Kiwi’ comes from her New Zealand Mother, a WWII war bride.
	SHEILA KLEIN, Corresponding Secretary Dazzler since 2006 Sheila began tap lessons at age 37 and fell in love with dance. She is also a pageant enthusiast and has held the title of 2007 Classic American Queen, Classic United American 2008, and Mrs. American Renaissance 2009. She also enjoys quilting, bargain shopping and reading mystery novels. Sheila currently lives in Highland Village, with her husband of 30 years, Michael. They have two sons, Bleu, a peace officer in Denton County, and Triston, a Financial Analyst for Accenture. They also have a Great Dane, Moose and a very spoiled Labrador Retriever, Rebecca Rene.
	KELLY CONTE, Directory/Schedule Dazzler since 2008 Kelly, is a native Texan, and has been dancing since she was 6 years old. She studied ballet, tap, and jazz under the late Natalie Skelton. She was a member of the school’s Dancer’s Workshop and performed at the Texas State Fair and for many non-profit organizations. She is married to John, and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Kelly received her MBA from the University of Dallas and currently works as a Senior Business Consultant for Saba Software. Dazzlers has allowed her to return to her passion for dancing!
	CHRISTINA FULLER, Website/Social Media Coordinator Dazzler since 2010 Christina has been dancing and performing since she was a little girl. Tap has always been her favorite. She has taught and coached dance/pageantry to over 150 students. Several of her students have won state & national titles. Christina has been choreographer for several productions in high school, college and non-profit organizations. She is excited to be tapping again after a 20 year break from dancing. A native Texan, Christina was born and raised in Mineral Wells, TX and met her husband at The University of Texas at Arlington where she received her Bachelors of Arts degree. They have two beautiful children. She is enjoying a career in the health/wellness industry as a Business Development Manager with HealthFitness Corporation. She is actively involved with several organizations including Good Sheppard Catholic Community, Northwest Metroport, Keller & Southlake Chambers of Commerce, Northwest ISD, Carroll ISD, Keller ISD and Trophy Club Women's Club.
	CAROLYN AUSTIN Dazzler since 2010 Carolyn Austin trained in Ballet and Tap as a pre-schooler and revisited dance again in college learning Jazz dance. She is a long-time, avid dance fan, and her favorite dance companies include Twyla Tharp and Pilobolus. On a recent vist to Hawaii, Carolyn fell in love with dance again watching and learning the Hula. She is thrilled to be performing with this fabulous group! She enjoys traveling, writing for the big screen, and chilling with her family and their latest addition, Cheech, an unruly Chihuahua.
	BRIGITTA POWERS, DTD Meeting Leader Dazzler since 2011 Brigitta started dancing when she was 18 years old, primarily tap, but also ballet. She also taught tap and ballet to 3 year olds for about six years during and after college where she studied to be a nurse. She is married to Dave and they have two boys, Devin and Colby. She enjoys scrapbooking, playing competitive tennis, and teaching preschool.
	TERE RAMSEY Dazzler since 2011 Tere begin dancing at the age of 2 ½ in Dallas with extensive training in tap. She is a former Berkner High School Bandolera. Tere attended Kilgore College where she was a member of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes and she served as Head Swingster. The Swingsters are and elite jazz dance group within the Rangerettes. Tere has taught dance at several dance studios in the metroplex and continues her love of dance with the Dazzlers. Married to James Davis, Tere is the mother of Kelle and Matt and grandmother to Nathan.
	CAROL WERTHEIMER Dazzler since 2011 Carol is a native of Chicago, Illinois where she spent her formative years and a brief time as a pre teen tap dancing with her twin sister. She left her tap shoes behind, went off to college, taught school, and married Mickey. She has 3 daughters ( 3 son- in-laws) and 9 gorgeous grandchildren along with a very spoiled Maltese, Sadie Rose. As a stay at home mom, Carol was involved in many free lance jobs which offered her flexible hours. Among these were as an extra in movies (Ozwald), television. (Dallas, the original) and commercials, working as a tour guide along with special events, teaching customers how to tie scarves and trying to spray women with fragrances much to their chagrin. She also volunteered at Equest, a therapeutic riding program and learned to ride a horse during that time. Her performing technique were polished as a member of the Contemporary Chorale and the international championship Sweet Adeline chorus, The Richtones. Carol is thrilled to begin another chapter in her life as a Dazzler. She thinks the Dazzlers are an amazing group of talented women and very happy to be one of them.
	KATIE HERMANN Dazzler since 2011
	JAN ABSOLOM Dazzler since 2012 Jan was born in Ft. Worth and began dancing Ballet and Tap at the age of 5 in Arlington where she grew up. At 16 she started Ballet training with Victor Moreno and Nathalie Krassavaska in Dallas and performed with their Ballet companies. In 1970 she studied in New York at American Ballet Theatre and danced with The Radio City Rockettes in the Ballet Company. She joined The Dallas Civic Ballet and trained with George Skibine and Majorie Talchief performing with the company until 1975. In 1996 she started Ballroom dancing and has competed at the Ohio Star Ball and Dallas Southwestern Invitational. She is married to her husband Ron and they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. They have live in Carrollton and are active members of Christ Church in Plano. In 2004 she received her Texas Realtor’s License and currently works in residential real estate with JR Premier Properties in Dallas. Since dancing has always been her passion, she especially enjoys the opportunity to dance and perform with the Dazzlers!