All the right moves Sea Bears Dance Crew takes athleticism to the next level By: Grace Penner Posted: 5:22 PM CDT Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2026

Many grow up believing dance can only be a hobby and never a career. The Sea Bears Dance Crew defies the notion by showing there can be a professional side of dance in Winnipeg.

Tasha Farmer and Kersey Sarao lead a team of 18 dancers from different backgrounds and styles. Together, they create a high-energy game-day experience — one that encourages everyone in the arena to get up and boogie.

Farmer started dancing at a young age, experimenting in all that was offered.

“I trained in ballet, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre — every single style you can think of,” she said.

Farmer is also familiar with the sports scene, being a Winnipeg Blue Bombers cheerleader prior to switching her pompoms for sneakers.

“Both are super fun, just different worlds and offer such different environments,” she said.

Now, as a co-choreographer with Sarao and director of the Sea Bears Dance Crew, she’s 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.

“We do both — 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,” Farmer said.

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.

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.

“In general, being able to work with this many people, these dancers that are hungry for it, it’s an amazing time,” he said.

Sarao and Farmer have been friends for many years and are able to bring their ideas into a shared environment.

“I would say we bounce ideas off each other and we create a dance that we both feel will bring excitement to the game. We’ll pick a song ahead of time and then take turns piecing it together,” Farmer said.

“Seeing it coming from rehearsal then going onto the court… to see it visually is amazing.”

“Seeing it coming from rehearsal then going onto the court… to see it visually is amazing,” Sarao said.

The team practises once a week for about two to three hours and then carry on with their day jobs — for Farmer that’s being a Grade 1 teacher and Sarao an aircraft maintenance technician — until the next Sea Bears game begins.

“Turnaround time is pretty quick. Sometimes we only have one or two rehearsals before we hit the court,” Sarao said. “Either we have a new dance to learn within two rehearsals or we’re doing a piece that we have already learned.”

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.

With the fast-paced Canadian Elite Basketball League season running from May to mid-August, it can be taxing to include new routines every couple games.

“I’m very used to teaching dance to younger ages so the fact that we’re leading an adult team, it challenges us to (use) our more challenging choreography,” Farmer said. “They all want to dance and the energy is so exciting and positive it rubs off on us as well.”

Each team member respects their craft, bringing professionalism to practice and performances.

“They all want to dance and the energy is so exciting and positive it rubs off on us as well.”

“Being able to understand that they all have the dance background so there’s a foundation that’s already been built,” Sarao said. “We have an understanding of having to do a job… and an understanding we have a face in the game.”

While the dance team’s style is primarily hip hop, they’re able to experiment within other categories. A couple weeks ago, the team featured a Michael Jackson inspired routine in honour of the King of Pop. Fans went wild as the dancers wore MJ’s signature white glove while busting moves to a mix-up of classics Billie Jean, Beat It and Smooth Criminal.

On July 12, they offered young local dancers from eight to 14 a chance to learn a routine and dance alongside them during the halftime performance. About 100 junior dancers gathered on the court to shine under the spotlight.

“I remember watching the last game and there was a little girl, maybe eight or nine, who was trying to copy the sideline dancers. It caught my eye — the fans are here watching the game but they’re also watching us,” Sarao said.

“Going out there being the best as possible because these kids are wanting to dance and they do look up to us.”

That’s become the favourite part for both choreographers — fan engagement and inspiring another generation of future dancers. But it’s safe to say the ultimate prize is the performance itself with the lights, costumes and mascots hyping up the crowd further.

“Winnipeg’s fan base for the Sea Bears is awesome. There’s never a dull moment during a game,” Sarao said. “(Also) being able to recognize that this a whole Sea Bears community not just a basketball team.”

“Even before the game … we interact with all the fans and let them be part of the whole experience of the game but also something bigger,” Farmer said.

It’s become clear this team is more than entertainment, it’s a stepping stone in the Winnipeg dance scene. It shows that there can be a professional side within the city limits.

“I always see that there’s so much potential in dancers in high school and then when they get to the university side, they don’t get to see the professional side,” Sarao said.

He said making dance a career in Winnipeg can be tough, with many thinking they need to leave for bigger cities such as Vancouver or Toronto to pursue their passion.

“To showcase that we have a dance team in Winnipeg — a professional one — is something a lot of people can look forward to,” he said.

grace.penner@freepress.mb.ca