Competing against 37 colleges, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ballroom dance team won its third consecutive national title at the National Collegiate DanceSport Championships in Pittsburgh in March.
The ballroom dance team claimed first place for highest point average, which requires most team members to perform well in all events. The team also placed second in the overall team championship, securing its position among the nation’s top collegiate ballroom dance teams.
The dancers of the Ballroom Dance Club—a registered independent organization at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa—are trained and coached by Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti, who also represented Hawaiʻi in the senior age division, placing first in several events.
“We are no longer the underdogs, so all the other colleges are looking at us as the team to beat,” said Narayan, who is also an adjunct faculty member in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Information and Computer Sciences. “The bar is getting raised higher each year, but we prevailed once again.
“We are proud of the dedication of our dancers who put in many hours to prepare for this competition,” Narayan continued. “We are grateful for the support we have received from the entire ballroom community in the state of Hawaiʻi.”
The Ballroom Dance Club was formed in September 2022, and the team took first place for highest team average in 2024 and 2025. For Caleb Zerbe, this was his first time in the national competition.
“Nationals was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me,” Zerbe said. “Getting to see so many people dance and enjoy themselves on the floor made me realize how fun dancing can be, even at the highest stages. It was a moment that helped me build confidence, and one that I will never forget.”
“Given the opportunity to compete at my third nationals, there is always something new to learn,” said Christopher Ramirez, who competed for the last three years. “Winning for the third year in a row has reminded me just how incredible it is to be a part of this team.”
According to the Ballroom Dance Club, the National Collegiate DanceSport Championships is grueling, with events starting at 7 a.m. every morning. Dancers compete in multiple events based on their proficiency and the type of ballroom dance, which include:
- International Standard: waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep.
- American Smooth: waltz, tango, foxtrot and Viennese waltz.
- American Rhythm: cha-cha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo.
- International Latin: samba, cha-cha, rumba, paso doble and jive.
Several students took individual first-place awards in their respective divisions, defeating up to 70 other competitors in some events.
The Ballroom Dance Club offers beginner classes to all University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students, faculty and staff in Studio 2 in the athletics department from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. No dance experience is required.
For more information, visit the Ballroom Dance Club website or visit the Instagram page.
