In the Spotlight

Introducing Debbie Lynnemoore, September’s Tapper in the Spotlight!

Known affectionately as “Hat Debbie” because of her love of wearing hats, Debbie has been an active member of our group for about 10 years. If I had to describe Debbie with one word, it would be SWEET! She always enters the room with a smile and a hug for everyone. Due to difficult circumstances, she had to move away in January but has been zooming 3 classes each week since then. We are all looking forward to a time when she can join us in person both in class and on stage again. To learn more about Debbie, please read her bio below.

As the youngest of 8 children (Hillbillies have a lot of kids!), my Mama always said I was the one who danced in her tummy. Being born in the small coal mining town of Holden, WV, my 5 older sisters were always dancing and harmonizing on the front porch for the neighbors. I would mimic anything they would do, especially that of my eldest sister, Barbara. She taught me to pantomime to all different styles of songs especially Elvis Presley songs. I actually won our town’s talent contest doing just that at the age of 4. I like to say I was the original Elvis Presley impersonator. LOL.
My Sisters learned to dance by watching every Fred Astaire/Ginger Rodgers movie that ever existed and they were pretty good at it. Later on, they learned how to jitter-bug by watching American Bandstand on TV. Since my 2 older brothers refused to practice dancing with my sisters (they thought it was Sissyfied to dance), and me, being the youngest without a choice, I was always roped in to be their male partner. To this day I have a difficult time not trying to lead when I’m dancing with a partner.
When I was ten yrs. old, my family moved to Los Angeles for my dad’s job. My eldest 3 sisters and brother went off to college and got married so my parents moved the 4 youngest of us to Hacienda Heights where I completed Jr. High and High School and was in every Theatre and Musical production put on by my schools.

After graduating I attended Mt. SAC for a year and then transferred to Utah State University where I lived with my cousin and met and married my first husband. We produced my pride and joy, my son Ricky. Later, I started working for the City of Azusa. After a few years and while working there, I met and married my second husband who also worked for the City of Azusa. During the time I was married to him, I started taking Belly dance lessons and started belly dancing professionally with a small group of Ladies called “Catharine and the Amar Belly Dancers”

After 18 yrs., my second husband and I divorced, and I bought a Condo and moved to Upland. Since I worked a 4/10 schedule and was off every Friday, I saw that Upland Senior Center offered Line Dance classes on that day so I joined the classes. I loved Line Dancing and under the Instruction of Louise Pewsey, I became her fill-in Instructor which eventually led to me becoming the permanent Line Dance Instructor when she sadly passed away. I loved teaching Line Dance classes and taught them not only in Upland, but in Azusa, Glendora, Pomona, and La Verne. I met so many wonderful people teaching line dance who have become lifelong friends.

After working for 33 1/2 years with the City of Azusa, I retired in 2012 and was finally able to join the Tap-Dancing classes being offered by the City of Upland. I was so happy when after a few months the permanent Instructor was Suellen Lassetter. I know that if she hadn’t taken over the classes I would have probably quit tap dancing. Suellen is the most talented, fun, and patient Instructor and I look forward to every class. Although I can only take Zoom classes at this time, I’m looking forward to moving back to the Inland Empire so I can attend classes and perform in person. The love, support, generosity, and kindness that Suellen and the other ladies have given to, not only me, but to one another make these classes the best part of my week.