The need for a safe, social environment in which to linedance led my wife & I to sponsor dances through the various Park & Recreation Districts where we taught. I became the DJ, and my wife took over the task of assisting beginners at the dances
In 1996, the need for new line dances that appealed to my students led me into linedance choreography. I have created over 200 linedances over the years and am thrilled at the success that “Burlesque” has garnered, including being a Crystal Boots Award nominee for Intermediate Dance of the Year in 2010. I was inspired to do the dance after watching the credits to the movie Burlesque where Cher sang the song “Welcome to Burlesque”. Reflecting back, I was also driven by the music to choreograph “Sway Me Now” in 2005 after seeing the movie “Shall We Dance?” with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez. Other popular dances of mine include: "A Love Worth Waiting 4", "Behind Closed Doors", "A Country High", "A Kiss 4 Me" and "Aguardiente". In the Las Vegas Dance Explosion 2012 my dance "Amor de Rumba" placed 1st in the Beginner Division and "Amica Mia" placed 2nd in the Non-phrased Intermediate Division. In 2014, "Many Tears Ago" placed 2nd in the Beginner Division, and in 2015, "Going 2 Pot" placed 1st in the Phrased Intermediate Division. In 2014 my dance "Aguardiente" was voted the "Most Popular Dance of the Year" in Singapore. I have been published in Linedancer Magazine in both the First in Line and Steppin’ Off The Page sections and as a Crystal Boots Award nominee for Burlesque.
I have had the repeated privilege to be an invited instructor at the Pismo Beach Country Western Dance Festival, subsequently Clovis Western Days, Cambria Western Dance Festival, Central Coast Dance in Solvang, Boogie ‘til the Cows Come Home and have been the DJ for Scooter Lee’s “Dancing for the Dream” event in the Sacramento area from 2008 to present. In 2015 I was thrust into the role of being an Event Director hosting the annual OktoberWest line dance event in the Sacramento, CA area. I was the invited instructor to teach a special workshop in Mesa, AZ in January 2017.
Awarded World Champion status at UCWDC Worlds 2017 placing 1st in choreography competition in the Country Int/Adv division with the dance "A Country High". As a choreography competition winner in Las Vegas I was also invited to teach at the Las Vegas Dance Explosion in 2013 & 2016. My line dance choreography can also be found on other sites including Linedancerweb.com and my personal web page at wild-horses.us.
Norman Gifford has choreographed 190 dances, of which 7 have been co-choreographed. Their first published stepsheet on CopperKnob is Language Of Love from October 2007, with their most recent stepsheet of Swing 4 the Fences in July 2025.
Choreographer Stepsheets
64 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Swing For The Fences - Elton John & Brandi Carlile
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: After Me? - Kashus Culpepper
48 Count 2 Wall Improver - waltz Music: Never Love You Again (feat. Sierra Ferrell) - Post Malone
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: I Don't Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom) - Dwight Yoakam & Post Malone
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Sugar and Pai - The Boots Band
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Where That Came From - Randy Travis
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: 3 Tequila Floor - Josiah Siska
32 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Work Boots - Cody Johnson
64 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Harden My Heart - Quarterflash
32 Count 4 Wall Novice / Intermediaire Music: Where the Lonely Go - Texas Hill
32 Count 4 Wall Improver / Intermediate Music: Where the Lonely Go - Texas Hill
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate NC2S Music: Words (feat. Dolly Parton) - Barry Gibb : (CD: Greenfields)
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: What's It Gonna Take? - Van Morrison
32 Count 4 Wall Easy Improver Music: Toeing the Line - Doc Wooten
32 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Music: You're My World - Bouke : (CD: A Song of Love)
48 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: You're Like An Angel To Me - Bouke
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Santa's Gotta Dirty Job - Rich Rowe
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Someday - OneRepublic
32 Count 2 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Traveling Time - Jim Allen : (CD: If I Could)
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Viva La Vida - Helene Fischer
