MEET OUR STAFF
Our Founders Vince & Carol Sottosanti
KU Studios is sadden by the loss of our beloved Executive Director, Jack Jacobson, 87 who passed away March 23, 2009.
Jack was born to make people smile. Jack began his broadcasting career in 1929 on WHAM radio in Rochester, NY, at the tender age of eight on the Uncle Bob Pierce and Company Radio Show. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, which led to him and best friend, Murray Davison, forming the first Combat Special Services Entertainment Unit, the Famed Sky Blazers, who played with such notables as Jack Benny. He was awarded the Army's Bronze Star Medal for his service, along with the Jubilee of Freedom Medal from the French Government. After the war, he returned to the U.S., married his sweetheart, Doris Erhard, and in 1945 formed The Ultra Tone Recording Company in Dallas, Texas. Four years later, he became executive producer and on-air talent at WHIO-TV in Dayton, Ohio, serving as producer of The Wendy Barrie Show, and also performing for pint-sized viewers as Nosey the Clown. In 1962, he was hired as program/promotion manager for Tucson's KGUN-TV, and among his many duties was playing "kindly, lovable Dr. Scar" on the station's Chiller Theater. He moved to Phoenix to manage KTVK-TV in 1979, and then returned to Tucson as general manager of KTTU-TV, a post he held until his retirement in 2002. Jacobson was very active in the community and served on the Executive Committee for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), was a member of the Corporation (for MDA), and later served as a vice president of MDA's National Association. He was also a member of the advisory board of the Tucson Salvation Army, Casa de los Ninos advisory board, & KUAT-TV's advisory board. He was elected to the ABC Television Network's first Promotion Advisory Board, and served as president of the Metropolitan Phoenix Broadcasters. Additionally, he was the recipient of the Tucson Ad Club's Silver Medal; a member of the Arizona Broadcasters' Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Silver Circle Society of the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He was the published author of two young adult novels, "Miriam" and "No Ordinary Boy", as well as a memoir about his World War II experiences, "Introducing The Sky Blazers." He continued to record voiceovers for TV and radio commercials, handle public speaking engagements, and even acted as on-air spokesman for KUAT-TV's pledge drives until a few months before his death from cancer. In his 87 years on earth, he brightened the lives of everyone who knew him, and he leaves behind a legion of fans who will smile each time they think of him.
We miss you Jack
Jennie
Marshall (Co-Director-Resident
Choreographer-Founding Member)-She
has been passionate about Musical Theater and Singing and Dancing for most
of her life. Having studied at the prestigious AMERICAN MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC
ACADEMY in NYC after high school, she has been working professionally touring
the world ever since. When in Tucson she shares all that she has learned and
experienced with our very blessed KU Performers. Most recently, she brought
her take on "Hairspray" to the KU stage.She is also proud to have
begun our Tap, Jazz and Ballet program that is flourishing at Kids Unlimited.
Some of her favorite theatrical roles have included Betty Rogers in Will Rogers
Follies, Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, Chava in Fiddler on the Roof, and Stephanie
Mongano in the Broadway National Tour of Saturday Night Fever!
Kelli
Workman(Co-Director-Resident
Choreographer-Founding Member)-
Kelli brings nine years of Professional experience in the performing arts
to KU Studios. Having discovered Musical Theater as a 9 year old her love
of singing and dancing has blossomed. A special role was as baby Louise in
Gypsy with Betty Buckley playing Mama Rose. As an adult she has sailed the
world as a lead singer and dancer and continued regional theater as well as
choreographing and dancing for the LEGENDARY SUPERSTARS. Having recently married
Kelli is living in Tucson and our KU performers are lucky to have her teaching
on a regular basis. Currently Kelli is teaching KIDS UNLIMITED Senior company
classes as well as some of our dance classes. Music editing has also become
a new passion through her work for KU. She also continues her own vocal studies
at the University of Arizona.
La
Tosha Evans- (Adult
Jazz, Adult Tap, Sr. Mentor) - Performing since the age of 3, La Tosha
has always been drawn to the stage. Having been trained in multiple dance
styles including; jazz, tap, ballet, and cultural movements, she is excited
to put integrate of these styles onto the stage of KU Studios. Dance credits
include working with the Arizona Ballet and Moscow Ballet, The Coexistence
Exhibit World Tour in Tucson, and T-Jam at Universal City Walk in LA. Her
work has been seen in such productions as; "A Thousand Cranes" and
"The Crucible" at Pima Community College, as well as numerous productions
with KU Studios over the last decade. La Tosha has been awarded The American
Amiter Model & Talent Competition's Overall Talent of the Year, best character
dance in the Cinderella International Program, and was 1st alternate to overall
teen crown in the AZ State Cinderella Program. She has had the privilege of
appearing in many shows. Some of her favorite roles include; Rusty in "Footloose",
Sophie in "BFG", Phyllis Dale in "42nd Street"..
Lindsay
Johannessen-
(Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical) Lindsay began her dance training at the early age
of four studying Ballet at Jane Bittner’s Dance Center in Olney, Maryland.
She later took on advanced Jazz, Modern and Contemporary Ballet techniques
until she graduated from JBDC in 2003. During her early years Lindsay performed
with her local company, the Olney Children’s Ballet Theatre dancing
in lead roles in works such as The Nutcracker, Concerto Borocco, Don Quixote,
Swan Lake, Serenade, and Paquita. Lindsay went on to continue her studies
at the University of Arizona pursuing a Bachelors on Fine Arts in Dance, but
had to withdrawal from the program after just three years due to a chronic
back injury. She is now pursuing a Geosciences Earth System major at the U
of A with minors in French and Planetary Science but her true passion of life
remains in dance and choreography. Lindsay is currently participating as an
active dancer and choreographer and one day wishes to open a studio and company
of her own. She is extremely excited to be entering her third year with KU
studios and believes that hard work, dedication and passion are the key ingredients
to making KU Studios and it’s students so wonderful to work with.
Erin
McBride-(Tap, Contemporary Jazz) Erin started taking tap and ballet
lessons before her 3rd birthday and performed in her first recital a few months
later. Although she takes lessons in many forms of dance, contemporary and
tap are her favorites. Erin has worked and taken from many tap masters such
as Frank Trent, Mark Goodman, Lisa Hopkins, Jason Samuels Smith, and many
more. She has attended many tap workshops and intensives around the United
States such as Totally Tap, LA Tap Fest, and Tap Kids Summer Intensive which
she has attended for the past 5 years. She has competed in all dance forms
for 10 years, and loves being on stage. Erin has received choreography awards
at dance competitions, and continues to teach locally while choreographing
for competitions and performances.
Brittany
O’Daniel-(Ballet)A
Dance Major with the University of Arizona. She has been dancing for 16 years,
and her focus throughout that time has been on ballet. Originally from Scottsdale,
AZ, she has trained with the School of Ballet Arizona, Arizona School for
the Arts, Scottsdale School of Dance, Indiana University, and Pittsburgh Ballet
Theater. She is also trained in other dance styles such as Modern, Contemporary,
Tap, and Jazz. She has been teaching for a few years, and loves passing on
her love of dance to her students.
Anton
Smith-
Anton is the Founder and artistic Director of the Tucson based urban dance
company The Human Project. He is a native of Philadelphia, PA. He received
his dance training in the Philadelphia/New York area and has performed actively
throughout the U.S. since 1992. In 1996, Anton was awarded city-wide recognition
by WHYY. Philadelphia Public Access Television for Most Dynamic Group for
his VIBE Hip-Hop Troupe. He continued his dance studies in the BFA program
at the University of Arizona in 1999 and received the Honors College and Medici
Scholars award for choreographic research in 2001. In 2002, at the finals
of the National Dance Association in Orlando, Florida. Anton's choreography
won overall in the Best Funk category.
STUDENT MENTOR TEACHERS & ASSISTANTS
Amanda T.- (Minis Dance, (Asst) Sparkling)
Amy J.- (Sparkling, Shining 1)
Bailey C.- (Tap, Jazz, Starlight)
Chelsea H.-(Asst) Shining 1, Song & Dance)
Jalyn W.- (Twinkling, Shining 2)
Mimi B.- (Kid Hip Hop)
Olivia T.- (Asst) - (Twinkling, Shining 2)