Who We Are

Mission Statement

Who We Are

Miami University Swing Syndicate’s goal is to teach, dance, preserve, and foster the art of Swing Dancing. We accept all Miami University students, and provides social opportunities for all our members. Personal growth and friendship will be built through the preservation of dance, including teaching, learning, and practicing of 1930s-1940s Jazz Music

Preserve, practice, and dance the many styles of swing
Give members the opportunity to learn and teach within the club setting
Provide for members to travel and dance outside of weekly meetings
Promote leadership through our executive board
Make friendships both with Miami University students, and with members of other university Swing Clubs

History

Miami University Swing Syndicate is not just a student org, it’s a community. Before the club even started, there was an informal group of dancers on campus who branded themselves as the 'Savoy Syndicatzz'. The actual 'Syndicate' was founded by in 1998 by four of those dancers. They wanted more funding to put on events, as well as to have a more official presence on campus while dancing and teaching around the region. The club dwindled after after those original dancers graduated and moved on to other things.

The scene started back up in 2002, under the direction of James Lawrence, a fifth year student who had been a freshman when the club had initially disbanded. The group of dancers met, agreed to organize events and lessons, and began combining their resources and talents to create a cohesive community of swing dancers at Miami. The monthly dances quickly became major events as dancers from universities and cities of Southwest Ohio discovered our central location and the scene’s hospitality allowed them to travel just an hour to dance all night with old friends and meet new ones.

Syndicate continues to welcome dancers who are new to dancing, or new to Miami University . The scene includes several different groups who teach lessons, offer weekly events, and perform regularly; each group supports the others by sharing resources and cross-promoting.

In 2009, Syndicate hosted its first Weekend Workshop: theSpring Swing Extravagana. The weekend was an instant success and inspired the current MUDE Swings.

In 2009, we expanded its efforts by adding a competition team.That team has performed at 7 out of the past 9 Dayton Swing Smackdown team Competitions and in 2017, even won the Collegiate Cup!

After having weekly lessons in Withrow Court, Peabody Hall, Scott Hall, and Alexander Dining Hall, we now meet in the Armstrong Student Center, for weekly lessons in room 2084 and for monthly dances in the Shriver Center Heritage Room.