Catrine Ljunggren (from Sweden) started dancing as a child - Tap, Modern Jazz and Ballet. At age 14 she added Jitterbug to the list of dances, and that was the beginning of a long relationship that has lasted until today. She learned her first Lindy Hop steps from the legendary Al Minns from Whitey’s Lindy Hoper’s and a year later Frankie Manning became her teacher and mentor. In 1985 she founded, together with five other members, the dancegroup “The Rhythm Hot Shots”. She specialized in Lindy Hop but also in other dances from the same era as Tap, Charleston, The Sham Sham, The Big Apple, Black Bottom and Cake Walk. During the next 15 years she traveled across the world teaching and performing these amazing dances. Some of the artist she has worked with includes Count Basie Orchestra, Nicholas Brothers, Albert Minns, Frank Manning and Norma Miller. She was also part of engagements like the groups own productions, musicals, Commercials and TV appearances. As a member of the group she also received awards as the: Winner of the legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem (New York USA, 1992) Winner of the Feather Award for Most Outstanding Global Swing Dancers (Beverly Hills USA, 1994) Winner of the Frankie Award for everlasting work to preserve and spread the African-American dance culture (Munich Germany, 1996) www.rhythmhotshots.com.
Catrine has been one of the owners and organizers of Herrang dance camp for about 15 years. In 1999-2000 she also organized the camp “Hop The Millennium” in Mexico/Ensenada. In 2006 she was the co-organizer together with “Happy Feet” to produce the first Lindy Hop Festival in Argentina, LHAIF. She is currently working on LHAIF for 2007 www.myspace.com/lhaif.
In 2001 she met Elliott Donnelley and they became dance partners. Together they have become known for their enthusiasm and energetic style of dance that is directly inspired by the type of dancing seen in early clips of the Harvest Moon Ball. Catrine is known for her energy - she likes to dance fast and fly high. In Elliott Donnelley she has found someone willing to attempt to keep up with her, and they are a joy to watch because they really have fun when they dance. Since then they have been invited to many of the prestigious swing camps around the world.
Since about 10 years, Catrine is also pursuing tango. She is partly working as a tango teacher, performer and producer of different tango shows. If you ever come to San Francisco come and visit her at her weekly swing event called “Cat’s Corner” where she teaches regularly, www.catscornersf.com. More on Catrine at www.DanceWithCat.com
Catrine taught a Special Extensions series in October 2007. Click here for details »
For upcoming Special Extensions classes check the calendar »
