Cathie is the founder of Savoy Dance and really just loves to boogy! She has been swing dancing since 2003, and solo dancing for as long as she can remember. With a strong background in gymnastics and jazz dancing, Cathie has a passion for people, a genuine warmth, thrives on partner connection, and enjoys sharing one of the happiest dances in the world. After initially loving the adrenalin of fast lindy and aerials, Cathie developed a love for slower Blues dancing, and has been known to teach all types of Swing and Blues dancing around Australia. Cathie is a regular in the dancing scene, being a past member of both Brat and Scat Pack performance troupes in Melbourne from 2004, and was an original member of the Melbourne troupe Echoes of Harlem before moving to Canberra in 2009.

Cathie (Savoy Dance) was incredibly proud to co-present Australia’s first ever Slow Swing Dance event – Slowdown – in October 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 in Canberra, bringing together the beautiful styles of Lindy Hop, Balboa and Blues in a weekend of dance workshops and live music.

Cathie loves meeting new people, and can’t wait for you to ask her for the next dance.

Adam has been swing dancing for over 14 years after discovering it at a Neo Swing gig in Newtown, Sydney. It was a life changing event, seeing everyone dancing such a joyful dance and witnessing the smiles it brings with it. He was hooked for life. He loves the magnificent feeling when the music has that beat that your feet just can’t say no to. Having competed in The Australian Hellzapoppin’ competition (the fastest swing dancing competition in Australia) Adam’s passion is for the faster tempos, enjoying the craziness that Lindy Hop is all about.

Adam travelled to New Orleans in 2010 and loved dancing in the streets to the local jazz bands. One of his most memorable swing experiences was taking part in a Second Line parade through the streets of the French Quarter. It was such a joyous occasion with everyone brought together by the music and dance. Adam is really excited to create this for his students and the dancers of Savoy Dance, and see the joy and smiles that Lindy Hop brings.

Steve Lade sampled a variety of dance styles from salsa to contact improvisation before finding lindy hop in Canberra in 2010. He thought his love was found, but then blues came along, swept him off his feet, and he has never looked back.

Steve has lived overseas for for the last seven years, where he taught regularly in Stockholm and found success in competitions at the biggest blues dance events in Europe – with a collection of firsts and places in solo and Mix ‘n’ Match competitions at Drag the Blues, Double Shot Blues, Berlin Blues Explosion, Feelin’ Blues and the Spoonful – and, with one foray into the US, finals in Strictly Blues at the most prestigious blues dance event of them all, BluesSHOUT!

Steve is passionate about the huge variety and complex history of blues music and the blues dance that accompanies it, ranging from slow and sensual to fast and sweaty. In solo dancing, he exudes musicality. In partner blues dancing, Steve values communication and play, between dancers as well as with the music! To find out more about Steve please visit dance.stevenlade.net

Di went to her first swing dancing class in 2002, not knowing what this thing called “lindy hop” actually was. She quickly fell in love with the dance, and has embraced all of its different styles, from lindy hop, blues, shag, solo jazz, and balboa ever since. She has taught widely, starting in Brisbane, then Edinburgh (Scotland), and now Canberra.

Di has attended workshops locally and all over the world and has been privileged to learn from many highly esteemed instructors (including Frankie Manning, the founder of lindy hop!). She’s particularly passionate about balboa and is excited to be sharing this beautiful form of dance with you.

Spud attended his first Swing dancing classes in 2003 in Perth WA. He has been a regular sight on the social dance floor ever since. Over the years Spud has enjoyed developing strong sense of body awareness, applying movement concepts to dance and partner connection skills.

Along with Crystle Challinger he found the Swing Dance Academy (now the Perth Swing Dance Academy). Here he enjoyed many years of developing his teaching voice and the challenge of finding ways help his students develop their dancing. Alongside Crystle he had the chance to teach in Hong Kong and Perth`s premier dance event Hullabaloo.

Spud is looking forward to sharing his dance experience and knowledge with the Canberra community.