About Us
We love what we do!
The performers of Taps 'n Tunes are all volunteers, some who have full-time jobs; some are retirees. Members take time to entertain at nursing homes, senior retirement and care centers, churches, art venues and others throughout the Metroplex. Our focus remains, through live performance, to address the problem of senior isolation and to honor US military veterans.
Become a virtual entertainer
Thank you to all of our North Texas Giving Day donors. We appreciate your support. You've helped us sustain our efforts intended to address senior isolation and honor our veterans, and we THANK YOU!
This is our story
Established in 1985, Tex’s Tip Top Tappers, a local dance group, was founded by professional Vaudevillian Clyde "Tex" Eddelman. His efforts were meant to preserve Broadway-style performance. When he retired, he turned director duties over to Annette Marsh, one of his top performers.
Annette led the group as it became a band of singers and dancers, providing community service, while honing their skills and having fun. She sought, in 1989, to secure for Taps ‘n Tunes Productions a non-profit 501 c 3 tax-exempt status. Under her direction, Taps 'n Tunes performed at numerous facilities including the Scott Theater, Bass Hall, The Palace Theater and Hurst Conference Center to bring entertainment to military veterans and seniors of local communities.
The organization is made up of volunteer performers that range in age from 46 to 76.
Annette worked tirelessly through the years, hitting the 25-year mark in 2005. During these years, she was honored for her many accomplishments and her outstanding leadership in the community through her volunteer work.
After 33 years of service, in 2018, Annette handed the reigns of Taps ‘n Tunes over to Frances Lea. A native of Fort Worth, Frances is a graduate of TCU with a BFA in ballet and theater under a Norton Scholarship.
Our Director - Fran Burns
Fran Burns has been named the Artistic Director of Taps 'n Tunes. She takes over from Joy Guthmiller who retired.
Burns was born and raised in Syracuse, NY, where her mother Frances Jones Frank, operated a dance studio. Burns began dancing at age three. At 17, an injury led to her hanging up her shoes. At 50, she enrolled in a tap class at the Frances Lea Dance Studio and hasn't stopped dancing since.
In 2001, she joined Taps 'n Tunes which was under the direction of Annette Marsh.
"Dancing with the troop meant learning new things, meeting new friends, getting to perform and serving the community," she said. "I believe dancing helps keep us fit and raises our spirits."
She added that the group is looking forward to two events planned for this coming year; Tap 'n Tea and the semi-annual USO-style show honoring veterans.
"We also hope to increase our visits to smaller venues as we use song and dance as inspiration."
