AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 7, 2026
Young Leaders Bring Line Dancing to Southeast Manitoba
A new generation is stepping onto the dance floor in southeast Manitoba, as line dancing grows in popularity among young people. Friends Ava Kroeker, 23, and Aleah Kamerman, 22, founded Silver Line Dancing to create opportunities for younger dancers and foster a stronger sense of community through social dance.
Successful Launch Event in Rosenort
Silver Line Dancing hosted its inaugural event on October 30 at Lily Stone Gardens in Rosenort, about 50 kilometres south of Winnipeg. Although organizers initially planned for 50 attendees, nearly 140 people turned up—about half of whom were under 30, according to Kroeker. "There was a surprising amount of young people," she said following the event. Inspired by her growing passion, Kroeker began teaching friends the dances she and Kamerman had learned, which led to the creation of the new group.
Fostering Community and Activity Through Dance
After signing up for classes at Stomp It Niverville earlier this year, Kroeker and Kamerman noticed they were the youngest in the group. Eager to share their enthusiasm, they started Silver Line Dancing as a way of expanding their dance circle, providing more opportunities for young people to participate, and encouraging personal growth and confidence on the dance floor.
"The more stuff we can do with line dancing… the better, and especially for the younger generation to be able to come out of their shell and feel comfortable in the space," Kroeker said.
Stomp It Niverville Expands Its Reach
Chantal Sawatzky, founder of Stomp It Niverville, has seen growing demand since starting her classes last year, now offering both beginner and advanced sessions. She plans to expand into Steinbach in the spring. The classes attract about 20 participants ranging in age from their early 20s to their 70s. Sawatzky believes community connection and the opportunity for physical activity draw people to line dancing, with "country vibes" and popular music trending among younger dancers.
“The apparel, the look, it’s becoming more and more popular with younger people,” she explained. “There’s all the new songs that are coming out. There’s dances for that as well.”
Expert Perspectives on Social Dance
Cheryl Glazebrook, a kinesiology professor at the University of Manitoba, emphasized the inclusive nature of line dancing. She noted that social dance forms such as line dancing are accessible for people without prior experience, making it easy to follow along and participate. "It gives you a sense of a plan and what you should be working towards doing, but it also allows that inclusion, and there’s some freedom in how you are moving," Glazebrook said. She added that after the COVID-19 pandemic, many are returning to social forms of dance seeking connection and creative expression.
The Road Ahead for Line Dancing in the Region
Kroeker hopes to see continued growth in the southeast Manitoba line dancing community, especially among young people. With new groups like Silver Line Dancing and expanding classes from Stomp It Niverville, the region’s dance scene appears poised to keep stepping forward.
Source: cbc.ca.
