Getting to know Jamie Barnfield

Posted By Linedance NZ
14 January 2026

The Boogie Shoes founder with a talent for “make-it-fun” line dance


Jamie Barnfield (UK) is one of those names that pops up everywhere: on step sheets, on teach videos, and in the “who’s guesting where” chatter. With a long-running club (Boogie Shoes), a big catalogue of dances, and a very down-to-earth teaching style, he’s become a familiar face across the UK and beyond.

And yes — he’ll be visiting New Zealand in February 2026 — but this post isn’t an ad. It’s the fun bit: who Jamie is, how he got here, and what makes him such a good fit for a room full of line dancers.

The “one weekend away” origin story

Jamie’s line dance life started the way many great hobbies do: by accident, and then suddenly it’s your whole personality.

In 1996, he went away for a weekend in Bournemouth and discovered it was a Country & Western themed event. Watching the dancing, he was “mesmerised” and came home determined to find a local club. That led him to join Heroes & Villains — and the rest is very much history.

  • He started line dancing in November 1996.
  • Within 6 months he was competing with the club team, and in 1997 they took 1st place at the British Championships at Wembley Arena.
  • That same year, he became an instructor and began running classes in Gloucestershire.

Competition Jamie...

After those early years, Jamie formed a small competition team called “Take It From The Top”. On the Boogie Shoes site he describes it in a very Jamie way — understated and funny — saying (paraphrased) “without sounding big headed… we were ok,” then casually mentions winning competitions including the British Championships and The Universal Cup.

That tone matters. It’s usually a sign of a teacher who’s confident, but not intense — serious about dancing, not serious about themselves.


Boogie Shoes: modern line dance, no costume required

Jamie founded Boogie Shoes (his Gloucestershire-based club), and it’s a good snapshot of how he sees line dance in 2026: keep up with the times, keep the community warm, and keep the dances moving.

The club’s “About us” page spells it out: line dancing has evolved from all-country-everything to mainstream pop music and trainers — and Boogie Shoes leans into that — but they don’t forget the golden oldies either.

  • Mainstream music, everyday casual wear, and a welcoming vibe.
  • Still makes space for classic dances because they’re fun (and the memories hit hard).
  • “Line dancing is for everyone” energy: no partner needed, all ages, all genders.

Choreography: the “how does he keep up?” section

If you’re the kind of dancer who reads step sheets like other people read novels, Jamie’s stats are genuinely satisfying. CopperKnob lists 108 dances choreographed and 51 co-choreographed, with published step sheets spanning from 2007 through to late 2025. He also keeps his own “My Choreography” page updated with dances grouped by level (absolute beginner through upward), with direct links to step sheets.

Four “Jamie dances” to try (for the curious, the keen, and the slightly obsessed)

If your club likes to do a little guest-instructor homework, here are four easy entry points straight from Jamie’s own choreography list. Pick one, run it for a few weeks, then enjoy the moment when it turns up again later and everyone goes, “Oh! We know this!”


Always on the move

One thing that comes through clearly: Jamie stays active on the event circuit. His “Whereabouts” page lists a packed 2026 calendar, including a February “mini world tour” that specifically calls out Dunedin (NZ) as one of the stops.Follow Jamie / Boogie Shoes. If you like keeping up with new releases, teach videos, and what’s being danced right now, these are the best official starting points.




Join Jamie at the Dunedin Linedance Gala

Dunedin Line Dance Gala is back for 2026 and it’s going to be bigger, better, and boot-scootin’ more fun than ever before!

After the smashing success of the 2024 Gala, the same passionate and experienced organising team are bringing the magic back to Dunedin, with an all-star lineup that’s guaranteed to have you dancing from start to finish.

Headliners You Don’t Want to Miss 🌟

  • Simon Ward (Australia) – A true favourite on the international circuit.
  • Jamie Barnfield (UK) – Our 2026 headline act!
  • Joshua Talbot (Australia) – Bringing his fresh energy and creativity to the floor.
  • Stephen Paterson (Australia) – Fabulous and much loved with a great energy.
  • Luke Watson (Australia)
  • Laressa Frost (NZ)
  • Jaime Ngawaka (NZ/Australia) – Our newly adopted Kiwi.