About Us
The faces behind the Savoy Hop Cats are Nathaniel & Elizabeth Smalley and Matthew & Brittney Hughey.
Nathaniel asked Elizabeth to dance the first time he saw her, in 2007. She said yes. A few months later, he asked her to marry him, and she said yes again.
Matthew and Brittney also met swing dancing and their chemistry on the dance floor likewise led to a wedding celebration!
The Savoy Hop Cats have been dancing together all over the Valley and creating the best swing dance events ever since! They have over two decades of combined dance experience and are on a mission to 'Bring Lindy Hop Back To The People' by dancing everywhere!
The Savoy Hop Cats resume grows with every dance. January of 2011 found them featured in an HBO documentary piece by the Neistat Brothers which can be viewed on our Media page.
The list of news paper and magazine articles featuring the Savoy Hop Cats continues to grow, most recently featured in the Phoenix New Times
blog, Up On The Sun. They are hired multiple times every month to participate in any number of different events. Sometimes this involves performing at local Universities, New Years Eve Gala's, countless concerts of various genres throughout the Valley, even 50th year High School Reunions.
In May of 2011 they performed at the Musical Instrument Museum and at
Phoenix Symphony Hall where they danced in front of over 3,200 guests over the Memorial Day weekend event. Judging local swing dance competitions like the 1940's Hangar Dance at the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum have been priceless experiences. They lost track long ago of the number of group swing dance lessons that they've been brought in to teach. Their expertise has been requested in teaching people to swing dance at everything from USO Events, Holiday Parties, Benefit Concerts and Private Engagements! Every event the Savoy Hop Cats participate in they bring the joy and chemistry that is unique to a couple that met for the first time doing what they love, Swing Dancing. It is this happiness that continues to spread to audiences and dancers everywhere they go.
(The following links will take you to photo gallery's from their recent performances)
The Savoy Hop Cats choose their name honoring the great Savoy Ballroom of Harlem, NY where Lindy Hop was born in the 1920’s. Like the dancers of the Savoy, the Savoy Hop Cats transcend time by keeping a dance born decades before, fresh and ever evolving.
Savoy Swing
Performed By:
Flattop Tom & His Tom Cats
In an effort to support the entire community here in the Valley the Savoy Hop Cats do not limit their involvement to swing and jazz related events, concerts and performances. Instead they relish the opportunity to share the dance that brought them together with as many different age groups, demographics, genres and sub-cultures as possible. Due to this fresh approach you will see them at every type of event imaginable, dancing to whatever music is playing! As a result the Savoy Hop Cats have been blessed to meet and call friends many, very special people from all walks of life. Below is a photo gallery of the Savoy Hop Cats posing with some of the amazing individuals they've met while doing what they love.
(Click on any photo below to open the gallery)
Savoy Hop Cats ~ Your Connection To Swing Dancing
(For an educational gallery of the original Savoy Ballroom, click on the Savoy Marquee below)
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