Hop to the Beat Dance Studio

Our Skye & Naomi Workshop Weekend has always been a highlight of the year, and this one was even more special. Thank you so much to everyone who participated. It’s amazing to be celebrating our 30th anniversary of Hop to the Beat this year. Somehow, this is the path our lives took. It would not have been what either of us would ever thought possible. We are incredibly grateful for all the love and joy we’ve received.

Huge thanks to Skye and Naomi for all the fantastic classes. It’s not just the opportunity to take their classes, but also the warmth and positivity they bring, which set the tone for the whole weekend. Check out workshop photos here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1710778856996307&type=3

Thanks also to our host team, Margaret, Betty and Anne. Of course Meredith, for all her many years of helping with workshop check-ins. Plus Barbara and Jimmy from Newton Parks and Rec. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to use the LFCC facility on Thanksgiving weekends.

Many thanks to our CATS Team for sticking with us through a long and somewhat bumpy journey, starting in March 2020, just when the Covid shutdown hit. We have done many class routines, starting back in our very early days, but nothing like the ups and downs of this one. We appreciate the time and effort, and it means a lot to us to have a performance both at Beantown and with our 30th celebration.

It was especially wonderful to have included our "Hop to the Beat Dancers" from our earlier days, David, Martin, Rachelle and Suzanne. We had a repertoire of routines and costumes, practiced a lot, and had a huge number of adventures performing at all kinds of gigs and events. The best part was seeing them all again on a regular basis!

We couldn’t have planned it better than to have Skye, Naomi and Gordon highlighting our Uptown Swing dance. Naomi ended up singing with the band as a last minute substitute, which was truly an unexpected treat. Thanks to everyone who attended, and for our incredibly fun dance jam! It was great to be back at KI, with thanks to Anna for helping make that happen each year. Huge thanks to everyone on the crew, including Adam, Kevin, Jason, Mike, Suzanne, Rachelle, Joe, Martin, Magalie, Byron and Toni. For some Uptown Swing photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1474246124705287&type=3

Reflecting on our 30+ years, and the wonderful time with the workshop weekend, we’re reminded of all the people who have come into our lives through the Lindy Hop community, both local and worldwide. We started teaching and established Hop to the Beat solely because we wanted everyone to Lindy Hop and experience the joy it brings. That same passion is what still drives us today. Besides meeting each other, dancing has taken us to opportunities and experiences we never could have imagined, and friendships we cherish dearly. It’s much to be thankful for.

Best wishes for the holidays!

Happy Dancing,
Aurelie & Tony

The Skye & Naomi weekend is only a few days away! We are very happy to be welcoming everyone, from those we’ve seen many times, to those coming for their first. We’ve got a wonderful mix of dancers attending from near and far. Some workshops have sold out, however, there are still limited spaces if you’d like to register. Today is the last day for discount prices for the workshops and Uptown Swing dance with Gordon Webster.

Here's the latest info as to workshop availability.

Friday, November 28
A. 7:30-8:30pm Medium Lindy Hop LIMITED SPACES
B. 8:45-9:45pm Solo Jazz Routine LIMITED SPACES

Saturday, November 29
C. 1:00-2:00pm Beautiful Basics SOLD OUT
D. 2:15-3:15pm Classic Steps SOLD OUT
E. 3:30-4:30pm 20’s Charleston LIMITED SPACES

Sunday, November 30
F. 12:45-1:45pm Taking Our Time SOLD OUT
G. 2:00-3:00pm Variations SOLD OUT
H. 3:15-4:15pm Instructor’s Choice SOLD OUT
I. 4:30-5:30pm Lindy Hop Partner Routine SOLD OUT FOR FOLLOWS

https://www.hoptothebeat.com/workshops

November is flying by and Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. What happens right after Thanksgiving? Our annual workshop weekend with Skye & Naomi! We have an excellent range of attendees coming from 13 states, and even several countries represented. Something to be excited about!

Only one week left to get the Discount prices. Register by November 24! Some classes are sold out and others only have a few spaces left.

Here's the latest info as to workshop availability.

• Workshops C, D, F, G and H are SOLD OUT.
• Workshops E and I are closest to filling for both leads and follows.

You can find more details and registration info on the website.
https://www.hoptothebeat.com/workshops

The annual Skye Humphries & Naomi Uyama workshop weekend is on November 28-30, also featuring the Gordon Webster Band at Uptown Swing! Such a fabulous event, it's back for year 16!

The countdown is on to get the Special Full Package Discount. Register by November 10! All nine classes AND admission to Saturday night’s dance. What is better than a class with Skye & Naomi? A full weekend of classes! This is a rare opportunity with these 2 amazing dancers.

Important workshop info!
• Monday, November 10, is the last day to register for the special early bird package. This package is now SOLD OUT for leads.
• Workshops C and D are SOLD OUT for leads.
• Workshops E, F, G and H are currently close to filling for leads.
• Workshops D and F are currently close to filling for follows.

Register now to get your spot!

Registration is now open for our annual workshop weekend, this year with the return of the fabulous Skye Humphries & Naomi Uyama! Dates are November 28-30, 2025. There is an excellent schedule of classes, with a range of options. If you have never taken class with Skye & Naomi before, you are in for a real treat!

Friday, November 28
7:30-8:30pm Medium Lindy Hop
8:45-9:45pm Solo Jazz Routine

Saturday, November 29
1:00-2:00pm Beautiful Basics
2:15-3:15pm Classic Steps
3:30-4:30pm 20's Charleston

Sunday, November 30
12:45-1:45pm Taking Our Time
2:00-3:00pm Variations
3:15-4:15pm Instructor's Choice
4:30-5:30pm Lindy Hop Partner Routine

Register by November 10 for the Early Bird Full Package Discount, which includes all the workshops and the Saturday night dance. A la carte discount prices apply through November 24. All workshops will be held at Lower Falls Community Center in Newton.

The weekend would not be complete without the return of the Gordon Webster Band on Saturday night at Uptown Swing! The dance will start off with a lesson at 8:15pm, and dancing starting at 9:00pm. Skye & Naomi will be performing during the evening. The dance will be back in the Social Hall at Congregation Kehillath Israel on Harvard Street in Brookline, close to Coolidge Corner.

Details are on the website: https://www.hoptothebeat.com/workshops

All the Cats Join In!

Our long history of class routines goes back to our very first class sessions many years ago. There was one in particular we always wanted to bring back, with some tweaks here and there, and some added formation changes. That was our Lindy Hop routine to “All the Cats Join In”, a very excellent, although challenging song to play with. It was finally happening when we started a new class session in March 2020, only to be foiled by Covid. After a couple of other postponements due to family issues, we finally made it to performing at this year’s Beantown. It was quite the journey, but we couldn’t be more proud of the results! We pushed everyone through all the little bits, they put in the work, and did a fantastic job. We were especially thrilled to perform for our special Beantown guests, Ms. Sugar Sullivan, Ms. Barbara Billups, and David Butts.

Special shout out to Pam, as she was dancing for two, with baby Laurence welcomed to the world on July 27. She amazed us through it all.

Dancers: Alex Fernandes, Angelica Cygan-Neem, Anna Lyubetskaya, David Liberge, Jesse Dalton, Lynne Chaney, Martin Fréchette, Max Monn, Natalie Eringros, Pam Rerko Dalton, Rachelle Gaudet, Steve Bart, Suzanne Gaudet, Trisha Gura

Beantown Camp 2025 Performances - All The Cats Join In Beantown Camp 2025 performance by Hop to the Beat.

This year September marks the 30th anniversary of Hop to the Beat! That is mind blowing. We never could have imagined all those years back all the places we’d go, people we’d meet, and opportunities we’d have, all ultimately due to our passion for Lindy Hop, and wanting to share this tremendous joy with others.

What better way to celebrate than our annual workshop weekend, November 28-30. We are excited to announce that Skye Humphries and Naomi Uyama will be back! Plus of course the amazing Gordon Webster at Uptown Swing on Saturday, November 29. The schedule will be similar to past years, with a variety of classes starting Friday evening, plus Saturday and Sunday afternoon. We expect to be back at our usual venues.
https://www.hoptothebeat.com/workshops

Save the dates for this always fabulous weekend!

Discount prices for the Anthony & Irina workshop weekend are still available through Monday, November 25! Same for Uptown Swing Dance with the Gordon Webster Band. Workshops may be selected à la carte. Here's the latest update:

Friday, November 29
A. 7:30-8:30pm Chili Charleston
B. 8:45-9:45pm Solo Jazz VERY LIMITED SPACES

Saturday, November 30
C. 1:00-2:00pm That’s Communication, Part 1 SOLD OUT
D. 2:15-3:15pm That’s Communication, Part 2 SOLD OUT
E. 3:30-4:30pm Creativity & Musicality VERY LIMITED SPACES

Sunday, December 1
F. 12:45-1:45pm Another Day in LA, Part 1 VERY LIMITED SPACES
G. 2:00-3:00pm Another Day in LA, Part 2 VERY LIMITED SPACES
H. 3:15-4:15pm Inspiration Station
I. 4:30-5:30pm Lindy Hop Routine

Overall, balances are good. Workshop I has more follows.
https://www.hoptothebeat.com/workshops

If you are not familiar with Anthony & Irina, or want to be reminded of how fabulous they are, enjoy this performance from Beantown Bounce in 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdfw3aUXTs4

The workshops are up and running with registrations coming in for the Anthony & Irina weekend locally, from nearby states, and some beyond. We're happy to see a nice mix of returnees and new participants.

The deadline for the Early Bird Full Package Discount is coming up on Monday, November 11. Only $150 to do all nine Anthony & Irina workshops and the dance with Gordon Webster! Be sure to check out the details to see what’s planned. There is a wide variety of topics to be covered throughout the weekend. When was the last time you were able to immerse yourself in a full weekend of Lindy Hop awesomeness? Only a few more weeks until it’s here, November 29 to December 1.

Workshops may be selected a la carte, with discount prices through November 25. There are also volume discounts for taking more than three classes.

https://www.hoptothebeat.com/workshops

Registration is open for the Anthony & Irina Lindy Hop workshop weekend, November 29 to December 1, 2024! There is an excellent schedule of classes, with a range of options. If you have never taken class with Anthony and Irina before, you are in for a real treat! All workshops will be held at Lower Falls Community Center in Newton.

The weekend would not be complete without the return of the Gordon Webster Band on Saturday night, November 30, at Uptown Swing! The dance will start off with a lesson at 8:15pm, and dancing starting at 9:00pm. Anthony and Irina will be performing during the evening. The dance will be back in the Social Hall at Congregation Kehillath Israel on Harvard Street in Brookline, close to Coolidge Corner.

Register by November 11 for the Early Bird Full Package Discount, which includes all the workshops and the Saturday night dance. A la carte discount prices apply through November 25.
https://www.hoptothebeat.com/workshops