1992 - Learned to dance with the Stompers and Strutters in Sterling, Virginia.

My teacher was Bob Falconi. This was a club that danced the Plus Program. We "graduated" from Mainstream in March, the club lowered its dance level to accept students, and workshopped the Plus calls all summer long.

I'd wanted to learn to be a caller after my first class, but Bob said "no." His advice to me was powerful. He said, "once you're the best dancer on the floor, come talk to me." So, I waited.

1993 - Started to learn the Advanced Program in September.

My teacher for this program was Jim Pride. He initially wouldn't let me in the class as I'd not learned the Plus Program as yet. However, fate was on my side as they had one single woman that needed a partner.

1994 - I graduated from the Advanced Program class in March.

We finished just in time for the annual WASCA festival. Jim said to me that I was one of the best students he'd ever had. He also agreed to mentor me as I started my calling career.

Things were not that simple as that August, I relocated for work and was living in South West Virginia.

1996 - I learned my first singing call. It was Rhythm Records "All Right With Me."
At this point, I also joined Callerlab, the "International Assocation of Square Dance Callers."

The singing call was problematic, though I didn't know it at the time. Since I learned the Mainstream, Plus, and Advanced Programs inside a two year period (something I wouldn't recommend) I didn't really understand the boundaries that exist between them. As such, my first singing call used calls from the Plus program. So, routinely, it would break floors.

1997 - I relocated again to Ohio.

1998 - I transferred to a position in Seattle.