New Mexico Line Dance has developed a rich history of organized dance over the last 20 years enabling dancers from around the New Mexico area to come together and enjoy dances they have in common. Below is a history of how line dance developed in New Mexico.

 

​Prior to 2005, when dancers in New Mexico decided to get together and dance, it was a definite problem. None of the dance organizations had many known dances in common. A small jamboree might look a bit like one group teaching or demonstrating a dance to the other groups. While this might be somewhat interesting, it really didn’t maximize keeping all the dancers actively engaged.  

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This is where the face of line dance began to forever change in our state. Jean Loafman, of Country Gold Line Dance in Carlsbad, decided to work to organize New Mexico. She began studying what Texas was doing with their state jamboree and how they selected dances. She also attended some of their events to watch it in action. While Texas had a good system, Jean also knew that something a little different would need to be developed for New Mexico. Jean also began going around the state visiting with other instructors to explain her idea and get them on board with a state organization.

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In 2005, the New Mexico Line Dance Instructors decided to form an organization in order to standardize the dances in New Mexico so that when we get together at a jamboree, the dancers will know the same dances and be able to dance together. 

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Originally, instructors submitted 25 of their favorite dances. These were totaled and the first list of 40 dances was published. To keep the 40 Jam dances current, each year thereafter, the instructors have voted to add 8 new dances to the list and delete 8 of the current dances. The first New Mexico Line Dance Jamboree was held in 2005 in Carlsbad and has continued each year thereafter and includes 40 Jam dances that have been selected by instructor vote.

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Adding to the success of the organization was the addition of the split-floor dance which allows beginning and intermediate students to dance at the same time to the same music. This has been a huge success in keeping all dancers moving to the music.

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New Mexico Line Dance is forever grateful for Jean Loafman and her vision of what line dance could become in our state. Her passion for dance, keeping dancers of all levels active, and keeping us organized will have a long-lasting impact.

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​Following Jean’s lead, New Mexico is fortunate to have dedicated instructors that take care to keep this long-standing tradition alive in our state. The hundreds of enthusiastic dancers that are part of this program are what keeps New Mexico Line Dance dancing.

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