The Swingcopation members are all talented, dedicated and oh-so-vital to our swinging ways - we're very lucky to have them! We like to show them off, so please, meet our team!
Tanya Stephan - Principal Dancer
Having been involved in dancing since the age of 14, Tanya has tried many different styles including funk, hip-hop, salsa, ballet and jazz. But since 2005, Tanya has been totally consumed by this crazy little thing called swing. Its relaxed, fun, cheeky style is what Tanya loves, and combined with all the people she gets to meet, is what keeps her going strong.
Offered a place in Swing Patrol's 'Brat Pack' and consequently their professional dance troupe 'Harlem Shout', Tanya has had the chance to dance at many top gigs including events such as Moomba in Melbourne and the wrap party for Hollywood's 'The Pacific'. Bringing her infectious energy and smile to teaching in 2008, and hitting her strides in competitions as well as choreography during 2009, Tanya just keeps getting better and better.
As much a part of Swingcopation as the dance itself, Tanya's continued energy and passion makes us all eager to share this wonderful dance!
Peta Cook - Dancer
After beginning at just 3 years old with ballet, contemporary, modern and jazz, dance has become a second language for Peta. She continued to perfect these other styles throughout her teenage years before finding swing dancing whilst studying at university and instantly fell in love with the freedom and spontaneity that is possible within the many swing styles. Swinging now since 2005, Peta has become known for her exuberant personality that always comes out when performing!
After moving to find bigger and better places to dance Peta joined Jumptown Swing's performance group in Canberra, Australia, and after two years was asked to lead the troupe. Teaching swing in both Canberra and now London, as well as regularly placing in national swing competitions around Australia, Peta remains a bright spark of the growing swing scene here in London.
Peta joins the Swingcopation team in 2010, bringing many years of dance and performance history. Welcome to the team!
Hayley Harvey (a.k.a. Missy Fatale) - Burlesque Dancer
A London local, Hayley found her love for both swing dancing and burlesque at the same time, whilst living abroad in Perth, Australia. The vibrant swing scene she discovered developed her passion for Charleston and authentic jazz, lindy hop, balboa and collegiate shag. She loves social dancing, performing, and regularly travels abroad to increase her swing vernacular.
Her time with the Perth-based Sugar Blue Burlesque troupe had her performing at Perth's Back to Burlesque, and upon her return to London she debuted at the London Burlesque Festival. Proceeding as a solo artist (under the pseudonym Missy Fatale), Hayley now also performs as a member of the London burlesque troupe the 'Wam Bam Belles', and regularly performs at Leicester Square's Cafe de Paris, Proud Cabaret, Bethnal Green Working Men's Club and numerous others. Her burlesque specialities include classic bump and grind, ostrich feather fan dance, blues, vintage strip-tease and fire-tassels!Hayley's classic vintage-inspired burlesque brings a unique element to Swingcopation's line up of performers, and never fails to get her audience's attention!
