Nancy, who was born in Piedmont, California, began dancing when she was three. After earning a BA in Theater Arts from UCLA, she traveled the globe performing in theater and on television with her dance partner, Francois Szony, as the acclaimed duo “Szony & Claire.” They appeared multiple times on the Ed Sullivan and Hollywood Palace television programs and took the stage at venues including the London Palladium, Radio City Music Hall, and the Latin Quarter.

In 1966, Szony & Claire made their Las Vegas debut in the Casino de Paris show at the Dunes Hotel. Two years later, they returned to Las Vegas as the finale act in the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel. Following her retirement from performing, Nancy married J. Kell Houssels, then President of the Tropicana, Chairman of the Showboat Hotel, and Vice President of the Union Plaza Hotel. Together with Vassili Sulich, she co-founded Nevada Dance Theatre (now Nevada Ballet Theatre) in 1972, where she remains a guiding force as Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Though she no longer danced professionally, Nancy continued her career by working in the community and focusing on the arts and youth. She has received many distinctions, among them the Governor’s Art’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts, the Jameson Philanthropic Achievement Award, the Chamber of Commerce Women of Achievement Award, and the Chris Schallert Award from WE CAN for abused and abandoned children. Her service includes roles on numerous Boards, including the UNLV Foundation, the Meadows School, the Nevada Arts Council (as Chair), the Bank of Commerce, the Children’s Service Guild, and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

Nancy’s vision for a world-class performing arts center in Las Vegas and a premier stage for the ballet—was fulfilled with the debut of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in 2012.

She was married to her husband Kell for 46 years and continues to cherish her children, Kelly, Eric, and Josh, as well as her seven grandchildren. Over the past forty years, she has also dedicated considerable time to breeding and raising Great Danes.