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KIT MAGNO \/ FREE PRESS<\/p>\n
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Tasha Farmer, right, and Kersey Sarao, centre, lead the Winnipeg Sea Bears Dance Crew rehearsal.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI trained in ballet, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre \u2014 every single style you can think of,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Farmer is also familiar with the sports scene, being a Winnipeg Blue Bombers cheerleader prior to switching her pompoms for sneakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth are super fun, just different worlds and offer such different environments,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Now, as a co-choreographer with Sarao and director of the Sea Bears Dance Crew, she\u2019s had the opportunity to grow not only as a dancer but as a leader. Both Farmer and Sarao get the opportunity to practice and perform what they create.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Winnipeg Sea Bears Dance Crew co-choreographers Kersey Sarao, left, and Tasha Farmer.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe do both \u2014 we both dance (and) we both choreograph for it. We not only get to see our dance come to life but also be a part of it,\u201d Farmer said.<\/p>\n Sarao has been a part of the Winnipeg dance scene his whole life. His Filipino heritage helped spark him to pursue dance; he often created routines with his cousins at birthday parties. Sarao then transitioned into folk dancing for Magdaragat in the Folklorama Philippine pavilion.<\/p>\n He has continued to tap into what Winnipeg has to offer, teaching at multiple studios such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Emerge Dance Complex, Project Company and Maples Collegiate. His expertise and passion has led the dance crew to where it is today.<\/p>\n \u201cIn general, being able to work with this many people, these dancers that are hungry for it, it\u2019s an amazing time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sarao and Farmer have been friends for many years and are able to bring their ideas into a shared environment.<\/p>\n \u201cI would say we bounce ideas off each other and we create a dance that we both feel will bring excitement to the game. We\u2019ll pick a song ahead of time and then take turns piecing it together,\u201d Farmer said.<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing it coming from rehearsal then going onto the court\u2026 to see it visually is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing it coming from rehearsal then going onto the court\u2026 to see it visually is amazing,\u201d Sarao said.<\/p>\n The team practises once a week for about two to three hours and then carry on with their day jobs \u2014 for Farmer that\u2019s being a Grade 1 teacher and Sarao an aircraft maintenance technician \u2014 until the next Sea Bears game begins.<\/p>\n \u201cTurnaround time is pretty quick. Sometimes we only have one or two rehearsals before we hit the court,\u201d Sarao said. \u201cEither we have a new dance to learn within two rehearsals or we\u2019re doing a piece that we have already learned.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite late-night practices, the members bust into the studio filled with energy. Every move is made with precision; Sarao and Farmer are at the front leading the pack, the rest following closely behind. Both lead with confidence, issuing corrections and praise, to ensure each dancer feels prepared for the next Sea Bears home game.<\/p>\n
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