Norma Miller: The Queen of Swing

Explore the extraordinary life of Norma Miller, the Queen of Swing, who brought Lindy Hop from Harlem to the world — and whose spirit lives on at The Hop in Bangkok.

Norma Miller didn’t just dance the Lindy Hop — she lived it. Born in Harlem in 1919, she was literally raised across the street from the world-famous Savoy Ballroom. By the time she was 12, she was dancing on the sidewalk, watching the best dancers in the world enter the building — and mimicking their moves right then and there.

One day, famed dancer Twistmouth George noticed her dancing outside and sneaked her into the Savoy. That moment changed everything.

At only 15, she was recruited by Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, the most elite swing dance troupe in the world. And just like that, Norma was touring internationally, performing in Hollywood films, and bringing Lindy Hop to the world.

But Norma was never just a dancer — she was a comedian, a choreographer, a writer, and a fierce storyteller. Her voice, wit, and energy made her a beloved icon in the swing dance world until her passing in 2019 at the age of 99.

A Life of Firsts, A Legacy That Lasts

Norma Miller was the first Black woman to choreograph and perform on mainstream stages with the success and visibility she achieved. She danced at the Cotton Club, appeared in the 1937 film A Day at the Races, and shared the stage with Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington.

After Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers disbanded, she created her own performance groups and began a new chapter — preserving the story of swing.

She published books like Swingin' at the Savoy, where she shared her memories of Harlem, the dancers, the music, and the unforgettable energy of a golden era.

Through storytelling, she helped ensure that the roots of the dance and the people who shaped it would not be forgotten.

 Did You Know?

• Norma was nicknamed “Queen of Swing” by Count Basie himself.

• She once performed in Rio de Janeiro with her own jazz revue in the 1950s — making her one of the first Black female producers of international stage shows

• .She loved telling jokes, and worked as a stand-up comedian in Las Vegas in the 1960s.

❤️ Why It Matters for Us at The Hop

Norma Miller is the heartbeat of what we do at The Hop.

She’s a reminder that Lindy Hop is not just about steps — it’s about joy, community, survival, and expression. She turned struggle into humor, rhythm into resistance, and dance into a living, breathing history book.

For our Thai audience and international students here in Bangkok, she is the bridge — someone who brings the spirit of 1930s Harlem to life in a way that feels human, relatable, and full of life.

We dance today because Norma danced before us. She showed us that to keep this art alive, we don’t need to just repeat it — we need to live it.