Frankie Trent got his start in vaudeville with his parents at the age of 4, appearing with them in variety show, road shows, fairs and theaters.  He started his solo career at the age of 13 by winning the Horace Heidt Talent contest and then appearing with Heidt in his road shows.

Frankie appeared on many local live television shows before he did his first nightclub show in

Chicago at the "Casino of Tomorrow" when he was "16"  (15).   He continued performing at fairs, clubs

and theaters throughout the Midwest area and Chicago until he was 19. 

Frank then entered the Army, where he received his paratrooper wings with the 11th Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.   He was shortly placed with the special services entertainment branch and spent the rest of his enlistment performing, choreographing and overseeing off-base USO clubs.  He also appeared on WSIX television in Nashville every week until he was transferred to 3rd Army Headquarters Special Services Atlanta, Georgia.

After his discharge in 1956, Frank returned to Chicago to resume his entetainment career.  He was performing at the Wildwood Lakes Resort in Kansas City when he got a call from his agent that he was going to be  the new opening act for Elvis Presley.  His first show was on Thanksgiving week-end in  Toledo, Ohio and remained the opening on all road shows for the next nine years.  When not performing with the Elvis Show, he was appearing throughout the country in nightclubs, theaters and television.

Frank has to give his thanks to his dad who taught him everything he knew, and more.  Outside of his father he studied with Chicago's Jimmy Payne and Tommy Sutton and Hollywood's Nick Castle.

Frank has taught many workshops throughout the states and abroad.  He has been guest teacher and judge for many dance conventions, including the Professional Dance Teachers Association, Gotta Dance, Stardust Dance Productions, Dance Caravan, Miss America Regional and various Cruise Lines.

In 1976 he retired from performing and opened a studio in Tucson, Arizona, where he taught for

over 30 years.  Under his tutelage, his dancers have won numerous national championships in the competitive dance field.  Many others have continued on into teaching and professional careers.

Since 2005 he has been teaching and choreographing for a senior group, Tap Sensation, in addition to working with private students and his newly formed "Tucson Tap Attack".  He has since left Tap Sensation and has formed his own Senior Tap Company called "The Tucson Prime Time Dancers".

He has won the Mayors' Achievement in Education and last year won the Arizona Dance Coalition's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Began dancing at the age of seven and has had the privilege to study under Tucson’s tap master, Frank Trent, for thirteen years. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Arizona, where she is double-majoring in Physiology and Neuroscience. In addition to belonging to Mr. Trent’s Tucson Tap Attack, Audrey works as assistant teacher/choreographer for the group. She hopes to continue spreading the joy of tap dancing by inspiring others to keep the spirit of classic tap alive.

Is 12 years old and attends Magee Middle School as a 7th grade Honor Student and member of the Student Council. Kayla started her dance career at the age of 2. Kayla has been a part of the Danswest Dance Company studying under Frank Trent and Megan Maltos since the age of 4.  Kayla is currently a member of the recently formed Tucson Tap Attack directed by Tucson's Tap Master, Frank Trent. Kayla recently made a cameo appearance with Limelight in Sierra Vista, AZ. Kayla currently holds the Arizona Regional Title of Miss Junior Ultimate Dance 2011 (Cathy Roe Productions). Kayla hopes she will inspire others thru her passion and love for dance.

Michaela is a 14 year old freshman at Ironwood Ridge High School.  She started her dance career at the age of 5 and quickly discovered her passion for tap dancing. At age 12, she began training under tap master Frank Trent, and at age 13 was invited to become a member of the renowned Tucson Tap Attack tap company. Michaela placed first at her last two middle school talent shows performing Frank Trent's tap solos and is currently a member of the Ironwood Ridge High School Dance Team. Fred Astaire, Gregory Hines, and Gene Kelly have all inspired her to continue tap dancing and performing.

Mallory Kerriston Karn

Is 11 years old and attends Tanque Verde Elementary school as a 6th grader.  Her favorite subject is science and aspires to be an orthopedic physician.  She enjoys several activities such as pottery, drawing, bike riding, but especially loves dance.  January 2002 Mallory began dancing at Danswest Studio with instructor Frank Trent at the age of 2.  Megan Maltos became Mallory's instructor in 2006 at Danswest Studio.  Mallory was invited to participate in a dance workshop and show sponsored by Cathy Roe in 2009.  Mallory has participated in the National Day of Tap for the past two years. In the summer of 2010, Mallory resumed her dance studies with Frank Trent.