Get Stompin' with Dance Legend Norma Miller
Norma Miller was first discovered as a gifted young Lindy Hopper by Herbert "Whitey" White when she was just 14 years old. Since she was too young to go into the Savoy Ballroom, she often danced outside on the sidewalk where the music could be heard quite well. The first time Whitey saw her she appeared out of nowhere on the dance floor and won a Savoy dance contest with Twistmouth George as her partner. Not long after that, Whitey was watching some of his dancers in a contest at the Apollo and once again saw young Norma defeat them. The next day Whitey appeared at Norma's home and told her he would prefer her to dance with him rather than against him. He invited her to join Whitey's Lindy Hoppers--a mighty dance phenom was unearthed!
Norma Miller was the youngest of the troupe when she joined and from the start displayed a creative, often-comic style and outstanding sense of rhythm all her own. A vivacious and outspoken person, she was and still is the life of every party.
Over the course of her career Norma's dancing took her on a tour of the world, choreographing countless jazz numbers and eventually establishing a school for young dancers where she passed on her passion and skill to future generations of swingers.
Norma's story, as told to and chronicled here by multitalented documentary artist Alan Govenar, will inspire young readers to defy convention and reach for their highest dreams.
Book Details: $16.99 Non-Fiction Hardcover ~ ISBN 0763622443 ~ March 2006 ~ Ages 9-13 yrs
Note: The vivacious 86 year-old Norma Miller will travel through 10 U.S. cities during the summer of 2006 on her "Swing Baby Swing Tour" showcasing dance performances, her book, and a recent documentary about her, "The Queen of Swing" which debuted in late 2005.