Members

Swing Cats Rhythm Revue
PO Box 5604
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 579-1122

Rob Van Haaren has been teaching and performing Swing for over 12 years, and has toured Europe and the U.S. extensively over the last 10 years promoting the dance. His expertise as a choreographer, producer, performer and teacher, include a range of work with the Charleston, St. Louis & Collegiate Shag, Balboa, Dean Collins Style Lindy, Boogie Woogie and of course, the Lindy Hop -- the original Jitterbug. Rob has won the titles of California State and National Champion. He has judged numerous competitions and events from the British to the World Lindy Hop Championships, and as a young dancer, was inducted into the "California Swing Dance Hall of Fame" in 1993. He was nominated for the prestigious 'Feather Award' in 1995 and 1996.

Diane Thomas is a naturally gifted athlete and dancer, who caught the attention of Rob and several judges in her early swing competitions. She won her first two competitions and has been winning the hearts and loyalty of her fans and students across the globe ever since. She brings her own style, grace and charm to the partnership with Rob, and is known throughout the worldwide swing community as one of the most talented lady swing dancers on the floor. She performed with the world-renowned troupe, The Rhythm Hot Shots, on their last tour of the US in the production, "What is this thing called Swing", and teaches followers the subtle nuances of the dance that add style and flair to every step.

Campbell Miller was born in Houston, Texas, and is currently working toward a BS in computer science at Stanford University. Campbell has been dancing since the age of 3, but was not introduced to swing dancing until the end of high school. After years of training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and pointe, she began performing social dance in college with the Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble and the Stanford Viennese Ball Opening Waltz Committee. She also performed for one year as a Dollie for the Stanford University Band. When she is not dancing or in class, Campbell spends her time doing aerobics, swimming, rollerblading, tutoring, and hanging out with her cats, Mickey and Minnie.

Christina Pham was born in Saigon, Vietnam and immigrated to the United States in the early 1980's. She grew up in Southern California and graduated from Stanford University with a degree in human biology and international health policy. She is currently a business development/project manager at a cutting edge internet design shop in San Francisco's SOMA district. Christina's dance background includes ballroom, tap, and jazz. She is co-founder of TheSwingSet and teaches social dances ranging from swing to waltz. She performed and toured with the Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble while in college, and joined the Swing Cats in 1999. Her interests outside of dancing include singing and photography.

Devorah Rosner, an original member of the Swing Cats, has been addicted to Savoy-style Lindy since early 1997. After completing her degree in performing arts at Washington University in St. Louis, she high tailed it west to call the Bay Area home. A "native" now for 6 years, Devorah can be found out hitting the dance floor, rollerblading, at the climbing gym, joining a game of football or making a mess in the shop on her latest project. Her performance background includes musical theatre training, years of A Cappella, jazz, ballroom and hip hop.

Eva Jansson is one of the troupe's newest members. Straight from Stockholm, Sweden, she brings her Swedish Lindy style and her spunky personality to the group. She graduated from Stockholm University with a BA in literature, philosophy and Swedish language, then went on to get a MS in industrial management and engineering from the Royal Academy of Technology, Sweden. She is currently a Ph.D. student at Stanford University, but she maintains that the reason she came to the Bay Area was for the San Francisco swing scene. In her non-dancing, non-academic time, Eva nurtures her other passion in life, horseback riding. Eva can be found competing in Three Day Eventing with her thoroughbred, Mr. Peeps, or bareback riding in nature.

Henry Chen is one of the original Swing Cats members. Born and raised in Illinois, he began dancing in high school, studying ballet, jazz, and musical theater. A graduate of Stanford University with a degree in economics, Henry spends his daytime hours at a high-profile internet start-up. As an undergraduate, he performed as part of the Viennese Ball opening waltz and as a member of the Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble.

James Mendoza, a native of Ventura, California, is an original member of the troupe, and has been performing social dances for the last ten years. He started dancing as an undergraduate at Stanford University with the Opening Ceremonies for the Stanford Viennese Ball, and the Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble (SVDE). James served as the choreographer for the Opening Ceremonies, and was a soloist and Assistant Director for the SVDE. After graduating, James helped form the not-for-profit dance company, The Academy of Danse Libre, and served as their Artistic Director. A middle school science teacher by profession, James brings his love of teaching to dance. He is noted for his clarity in teaching, his sensible approach to Lindy Hop, and his playful nature.

Johannes Kratz is a West Coast boy misplaced for his first eighteen years in McLean, Virginia. Johannes moved to California to attend Stanford University, where he received bachelor's degrees in biology and philosophy. He is currently working at a broadband wireless start-up. Interested in movement in college, Johannes pursued aikido, a peaceful martial art, and joined a ballroom dance performance troupe, which toured parts of the U.S. and Europe. He is co-founder of TheSwingSet, and teaches swing widely in the Bay Area. When Johannes is not dancing, he is playing basketball, cooking, or becoming an expert on the newest multimedia technology.

Megan Hornbecker graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Sociology and Global Peace and Security. She is currently a development associate for a non-profit organization in San Francisco, as well as a swing DJ on the side. Megan started swing dancing in Santa Barbara as an undergraduate, and serendipitously, her first swing instructor was Rob Van Haaren. Since then, she has become a Lindy addict and a steadfast figure in the Bay Area social swing scene. When sheās not combing the country for the ultimate dance-til-you-drop frenzy, she can be found snowboarding, water skiing, running, and trail blazing through life.

Steve Gibson, originally from Oregon, was one of the Swing Cats' original members. A graduate of Princeton University, Steve masquerades during the day as Director of Business Development for Rapt, Inc. He has trained with the best Lindy Hop teachers in the world, and has taught swing dancing all over the San Francisco Bay Area. Through his dancing, Steve has managed to land spots on national and local television, including a stint on ABC Sports for the 1999 Pro Figure Skating Championships.

Valencia Johnson graduated from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio with a BA in human resource management and a graduate degree in dental hygiene. Originally from Cincinnati, Valencia moved west to San Francisco in the summer of '97 and currently works as a dental hygienist in Marin County. San Francisco introduced her to lindy hop, and, beginning in Rob and Diane's swing classes three years ago, she has developed her own style of swan-like grace out on the dance floor. When not dancing, Valencia can be found either in the great outdoors, snowboarding or mountain biking, or right at home creating beautiful ensembles at her sewing machine.