Cat Foley is a Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz dancer, teacher and performer based in the United Kingdom.
Lindy Hop and Jazz are African American vernacular dances and are rooted in African American culture both historically and today. More work needs to be done in the Swing Dance community to address racial injustice, and I acknowledge that I have benefited from privilege as a white person in the community. To participate in a culture that I am a guest in, I need to acknowledge the history of the dance and the consequences of my own actions in order to build a better future for our community. Before hiring me, I urge you to consider hiring any of these UK based dancers and teachers who were instrumental in my growth as a dancer and teacher: Trisha Sewell, Angela Andrew and Carolene Hinds.
Since March 2020 I started donating a portion of my income to charities focussing on anti-racism, racial inclusion and organisations championing dances and culture of the African Diaspora. I will continue to do this going forward.
Bio: Cat has been Lindy hopping since 2005. After teaching in her University scene and locally in Newcastle, Cat moved back to Liverpool and established Mersey Swing and remains creative director of this fast growing scene.
Cat is currently London based, working with Swing Patrol teaching African American vernacular jazz and jazz and Lindy Hop and travelling worldwide to teach with her dance partner Cam Mitchell. She is an actor and theatre maker, working with ‘Swing Sister Swing’ on brand new narrative swing dance works, and has a one woman show ‘The Wallflower, which uses the partnered nature of swing dance to address social exclusion. Cat’s improv comedy experience with Impropriety, and theatre background bring extra life to her teaching and performing.
Known for her infectiously fun style, Cat wears her heart on her sleeve and strives to bring out individuality, positivity and expression from her students.