Assistant General Chairmen

Tom and Kathy Nickel
Southwest Area

• Bio
  

  Tom and Kathy Nickel    
  Assistant General Chairmen

  ×

  We are from Middleton WI. Kathy started Square Dancing, along with her parents, when she was eight years old and then got Tom involved after they were married. We took a few years off while we raised our family.
  
  Tom started his Calling career in 1991, and Kathy started Cueing in 1996. We call/cue regularly throughout the area. We are the club caller/cuer/instructor for several of the local clubs. We spend most our free time teaching new dancers, doing exhibitions, and supporting the Square & Round dancing activity. In 2011, Tom received the Wisconsin Caller/Cuer Hall of Fame Award and Kathy in 2013. Tom is a member of Callerlab and Kathy is a member of Roundalab.
  
  Square and Round Dancing has become a family activity with our four children and five grandchildren. When our youngest was 8 years old, we took them to square dance lessons, and they became members of the CrossTrail Youth club. The kids loved the dancing and asked why it took so long for us to get them involved. Today, we have three daughters along with two of our granddaughters, still active in Square & Round dancing.
  
  We are actively involved and hold several offices within the Wisconsin State & Local Square & Round Dance Associations. For Square Dancing -- Tom is currently the President of the WI State Square Dance Assoc. (SDAW), Treasurer of the WI State Square Dance Callers/Cuers Council (WSDLCC) and Vice President of our Local Area Callers Council (SW_SDAW). Kathy is currently President of WSDLCC and the Local Area Callers Council. We have served as Chairman for multiple Wisconsin State Conventions and in 2006 & 2023 we were the General Chairmans. We are currently serving as Treasurers on the Wisconsin State Convention Board. At the National Level in 2024 we were the Camping Chairman for the National Square and Round Dance in Milwaukee WI and helped with the Round Dance Programming. For Round Dancing --we are members of the National and State Round Dance Leaders Association (Roundalab & WRDLC). We love to choreograph Round Dances and received the Roundalab Round of the Quarter Award for our “Timeless and True Love” choreography. Roundalab presented us with the 25-year Teaching Award in 2025.
  
  We love to camp and are active members of the National Square Dance Camping Association (NSDCA). We have been NSDCA members for 35 years. We are the club caller/cuer for our local chapter, Badger Rovers Chapter 031. Kathy is currently the NSDCA Membership Secretary and Tom is the Registered Agent. Tom held the NSDCA Treasurer position for 10 years and the Mail Handler position for 10+ years.
  
  Our family and Square/Round Dancing have been a major part of our lives, while we still are available for other interests of camping, sewing and bowling.
  
  
  
  

  To contact:
     Tom and Kathy Nickel: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Assistant General Chairmen

Bob Tjensvold and Sharon Albright
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Bob Tjensvold & Sharon Albright    
  Assistant General Chairmen

  ×

  Sharon was introduced to square dancing in the early 70’s and danced for 4 years. Then her life took a different path and she did not get back to square dancing until 1999 when she took Mainstream classes again. She graduated as a Mainstream dancer in 2000 and a Plus dancer in 2021. In 2004 she helped workshop a new class of dancers and got hooked on the idea of teaching and calling. In 2006 Sharon became a full caller. She is a member of the Northwoods Levis & Lace Square Dance Club in Woodruff, WI. She has held several different offices with Northwoods Levis & Lace. Sharon has held offices in the CNW Square Dance Assoc, Central Wis. Callers Assoc, SDAW, and WSDLCC. Sharon has been chairman for several different committees for previous Wisconsin conventions and was General Chairman of the Wisconsin Square & Round Dance Convention in 2014 and again in 2022.
  
  Bob was introduced to square dancing in 2010 when he met Sharon in her shop. She asked him if he would be interested in learning to square dance. She invited him to watch a square dance and then invited him to join the new class. Since she had invited him to class she decided to be his dance partner. Bob graduated as a Mainstream dancer in 2011 and as a Plus dancer in 2012. He and Sharon continued to dance as partners at Northwoods Levis & Lace, and other area clubs. As their friendship grew, Bob asked Sharon to marry him. They were married on May 11, 2013. Now he is Sharon’s official “Caller Hauler”. Bob is a member of the Northwoods Levis & Lace Square Dance Club in Woodruff, WI. He has held offices in Northwoods Levis & Lace Square Dance Club and CNW Square Dance Assoc. Bob has been a committee chairman, along with Sharon for previous Wisconsin Conventions and he and Sharon were the General Chairmen for the Wisconsin Square & Round Dance Convention in 2022.
  
  

  To contact:
     Bob Tjensvold and Sharon Albright: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Secretary

Amanda Herdt
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Amanda Herdt    
  Secretary

  ×

  Information coming soon...
  
  

  To contact:
     Amanda Herdt: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Treasurer

Carrie Jane Danner-Vozka
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Carrie Jane Danner-Vozka    
  Treasurer

  ×

  Information still to come....
  
  

  To contact:
     Carrie Jane Danner-VozkaE-mail
  

  

  Done

Registration Chairmen

Holly Kobza and Kimberlee Streby
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Holly Kobza and Kimberlee Streby    
  Registration Chairmen

  ×

  Information still to come....
  
  

  To contact:
     Holly Kobza and Kimberlee Streby: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Publicity Chairman

TBD
WI Area

• Bio
  

  TBD    
  Publicity Chairman

  ×

  Information to come....
  
  

  To contact:
     TBD: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Housing/Camping Chairman

Jessie Gruetzmacher
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Jessie Gruetzmacher    
  Housing/Camping Chairman

  ×

  Information still to come....
  
  

  To contact:
     Jessie Gruetzmacher: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Programming-Squares

TBD
WI Area

• Bio
  

  TBD    
  Programming-Squares

  ×

  Information to come....
  
  

  To contact:
     TBD: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Programming-Rounds

TBD
WI Area

• Bio
  

  TBD    
  Programming-Rounds

  ×

  Information to come...
  
  

  To contact:
     TBD E-mail
  

  

  Done

Education Chairman

Peggy Weisensel Chavey
Southwest Area

• Bio
  

  Peggy Weisensel Chavey    
  Education Chairman

  ×

  Peggy Weisensel Chavey was the ‘silent’ half of the Darrah & Peggy Chavey teaching partnership. Together they taught Social Ballroom Dance and Round Dance for more than 40 years. During that time, they individually pursued ballroom instructor certification through the American International Dancers Association (formerly the US branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance). Although Darrah was the cuer, Peggy taught all the private lessons. They were not competitive ballroom dancers, but they loved how round dance and social ballroom dance complemented and enhanced each other.
  
  After Darrah’s passing last year, Peggy picked up the mic and began cueing. Her first solo taught Round Dance class started in January. She plans to restart their round dance club “Friendship Rounds” as a Phase 2-3-4 club on its 40th anniversary in September 2025. She continues to teach social ballroom dance lessons.
  
  Peggy is a member of the American International Dancers Association (AIDA), the International Choreographed Ballroom Dance Association (ICBDA), Roundalab, and the Wisconsin Round Dance Leaders Council (WRDLC). She was the Director of Showcases and Clinics for the 73rd National Square Dance Convention held in Milwaukee in 2024. She serves on three Roundalab committees and is the WRDLC President.
  
  Outside of dancing, Peggy is a retired Database Administrator. She spends much of her time sorting through and indexing Darrah’s many collections in preparation for finding new homes for them. In her spare moments, she enjoys reading speculative fiction and mystery books, working on various creative projects, and being the Dungeon Master for a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game. Both of her children are grown, married, and dancing. And the grand-twins joined the family dance tradition a couple years ago.
  
  -- Dancing is good for your body and your brain. What better way to live a joyful life. --
  
  

  To contact:
     Peggy Weisensel Chavey: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Youth Chairman

Jimmie and Deanna Burss
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Jimmie & Deanna Burss    
  Youth Chairman

  ×

  Jimmie and Deanna, our 2025 Youth Chairman, began square dancing in the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, Jimmie started as club caller for three clubs in the Milwaukee area, and guest calling across Wisconsin and Illinois. Over the years, Jimmie has called at many Wisconsin Conventions, as well a few in other states, and two Nationals. Jimmie was a member of the Lightning Trio with Mike Krautkramer and Randy Tans. Together, Jimmie and Deanna have been chairmen in various positions for the Wisconsin Conventions over the years, including serving as General Chairmen for the 1998 convention. After taking a few years off from calling to spend more time with their sons, Jimmie and Deanna relocated in 2023 to Sugar Camp in northern Wisconsin. Jimmie is now teaching MS square dance lessons and hosting monthly dances in Rhinelander. They are excited to help fellow callers and dancers grow, and strengthen the local square dance community in the Northwoods.
  
  

  To contact:
     Jimmie & Deanna Burss: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Retail Sales

Doug Kindschuh
Wolf River Area

• Bio
  

  Doug Kindschuh    
  Retail Sales

  ×

  Information to come...
  
  

  To contact:
     Doug Kindschuh: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Services

Charles & Peggy Luedtke
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Charles & Peggy Luedtke    
  Services

  ×

  Information to come...
  
  

  To contact:
     Charles & Peggy Luedtke: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Showcase of Ideas

TBD
WI Area

• Bio
  

  TBD    
  Showcase of Ideas

  ×

  Information to come...
  
  

  To contact:
     TBD: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Fashion Show

TBD
WI Area

• Bio
  

  TBD    
  Fashion Show ×

  Information to come....
  
  

  To contact:
     TBD: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Special Events

Stephanie Esser
Southwest Area

• Bio
  

  Stephanie Esser    
  Special Events

  ×

  I started square dancing when I was 12 years old. I took Round Dancing from my Mom and Dad (Kathy & Tom Nickel). I have attended several State, National Conventions and Square Dance Campers Camporees. When I was dancing as a youth, our Youth Club performed Exhibitions at the State Conventions. I have held several Chairmanships for the State Conventions, Secretary position, Chairman of the Youth Hall several times, organized the Solo dancers Hall activities and Chairman of Retail Sales. At the 2024 National Convention, I was Director of Solo Dancers Hospitality. I am currently the Vice President of the Southwest Area Square Dance Association, and secretary for Badger Rovers Square Dance Campers. When I am not Square or Round Dancing, I am teaching preschool at a Catholic School and I love to go camping.
  
  

  To contact:
     Stephanie Esser: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Souvenir Book

TBD
WI Area

• Bio
  

  TBD    
  Souvenir Book

  ×

  Information to come....
  
  

  To contact:
     TBD: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Webmaster

Tracy Hollatz
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Tracy Hollatz    
  Webmaster

  ×

  I first started square dancing back when I was in the 7th grade. I loved to dance, and line dancing was my favorite part. I danced until college and then took time off to raise my family. In 2016, not having a partner for square dancing, I took clogging lessons and danced on the local clogging exhibition team. In 2017 I was able to talk my daughter into taking square dance lessons and I finally returned to my favorite activity. In 2023, I married Myron Hollatz, a caller/cuer for square dancing from Minnesota. We met at an Iowa State Square Dance Convention the previous year.
  
  My second favorite activity is web design. I have worked on a number of websites in the past but I am currently the web designer for the Swingin' Beavers square dance club, the Square Dance Association of WI (SDAW), SW-SDAW, Westport Squares, Badger Rovers square dance camping group, the Wisconsin State Convention, and the MN Federation website.
  
  I served one year as Vice President for the Swingin' Beavers club, two years as Publicity Chairman for the WI State Convention, and three years as the Webmaster for the Convention. I hope to see you at convention and look forward to meeting you in a square!
  
  

  To contact:
     Tracy Hollatz: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Medical Services

Flash & Mary Ann Gordon
Southeast Area

• Bio
  

  Flash & Mary Ann Gordon    
  Medical Services

  ×

  Flash took square dance lessons with the Swingin’ Single Squares and graduated in 1979. He volunteered to be part of the team to provide emergency medical services for the National Convention held in Milwaukee that same year. He has been a familiar figure at all Wisconsin Conventions for Medical Services for many consecutive years.
  
  Mary Ann started square dance lessons with the Swingin’ Single Squares. She graduated in the class of 1987. She met Flash at a dance at SSS and were married in 1990.
  
  We participated in Fashion Shows in 1990 and 1998. We were members of two Exhibition Groups, and have attended local, state and regional events. We were Vice Chairman of Housing at the National Convention for 2024, and have attended other National Conventions.
  
  Some of Flash’s extra-curricular activities include being a Shooting Sports Coordinator/Instructor for Waukesha County 4-H, Treasurer for the Scottish Festivals Organization, a member of the Saint Andrews Society of Milwaukee and Longbow Co-chair at the Wisconsin Highland Games.
  
  Mary Ann also spends her time as a 4-H Adult Volunteer for Waukesha County, doing counted cross stitch projects, jig saw and word seek puzzles.
  
  We are also very active in volunteering in various capacities at our church.
  
  To contact:
     Flash & Mary Ann Gordon: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Computer Services

Scott and Brenda Deal
Southwest Area

• Bio
  

  Scott and Brenda Deal    
  Computer Services

  ×

  Scott graduated from Oklahoma State University, with an associate degree in drafting and worked within the Aerospace Industry and later in computer technology, which eventually brought us to Wisconsin in 2009. Brenda graduated from the California College of Paramedical and Technical College, as a Respiratory Therapist and has worked in health care for over 34 years. We met and married in Southern California in 2008.
  
  Scott has danced for over 40 years in Oklahoma, Washington, and California. Brenda loved to dance but “No one square dances in California”. It took a relocation to Wisconsin in 2009 for Brenda to find out what Modern Western Square Dancing is all about. As a couple, we took lessons with Tom Nickel and the Swingin’ Beavers Square Dance Club and have never looked back.
  
  We have two married daughters and 3 grandchildren. Scott’s daughter, Dana, danced with the Mavericks and participated in the Pacific Northwest Teen Square Dance Festival (PNTSDF). Scott was a Junior square coach for the Mavericks and a Buckskin advisor.
  
  As a couple, we currently serve on the United Square Dancers of America as Social Media Chairmen for our 6th year and have also served as Secretary for 3 years. Within our State, we were Publicity Chairmen for the Square Dance Association of Wisconsin (SDAW). We were the General Chairmen for the 60th Wisconsin Square and Round Dance Convention in 2019 with 667 dancers in attendance from all over the US and Canada. In our Southwest Area of the Square Dance Association of Wisconsin (SW-SDAW), we have held offices as President, Vice President, and Secretary. We have held multiple offices within our local club as well. We are members of 3 clubs (Swingin’ Beavers Square Dance Club, Diamond Squares Plus Club, and Badger Rovers Campers). Scott has served as webmaster for 5 square dance websites in Wisconsin.
  
  It is our love for square dancing along with our talent and experience in publicity and social media that has driven us to promote Square Dancing as a wonderful way to exercise and develop lifelong friendships. We look forward to bringing the 73rd National Square Dance Convention® to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2024.
  
  

  To contact:
     Scott and Brenda Deal: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Honu

Breeanna Norris
Central Northwest Area

• Bio
  

  Breeanna Norris    
  Honu

  ×

  Information to come...
  
  

  To contact:
     Breeanna Norris: E-mail
  

  

  Done

Volunteer?

Are you interested in volunteering to help put on a Convention?

Please reach out to this years' General Chairman

Sign Up Today and Join Us For A Hawaiian Themed Convention. Aloha!