After studying theatre and voice at the University of Illinois and Goodman School of Drama, Jan performed in New York at such well known venues as Goodspeed Opera House and Manhattan Theatre Club. She toured nationally with the New York Shakespeare Festival's musical version of "Two Gentlemen of Verona" before assuming the role of single mom and sales professional.

Jan has appeared at The Goodman Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Lifeline Theatre, and was a longtime member of the Chicago Chamber Choir. Jan performs in a two-woman act, The Boomer Babes, at nightclubs and private parties, as well as Stardust, a nostalgic vocal trio that plays with big bands and symphony orchestras. She is currently writing her own one -woman show, "Ingenewish", the musical diary of a misfit ingenue.

Jan's greatest achievements are her daughter, Jennifer, a speech pathologist and her son, Jonathan, a science teacher.