Ballroom Dance Club at UH Mānoa (BDCUHM)
The Ballroom Dance Club is a registered independent organization (RIO) that encourages non-dancers and beginners to join and learn how to ballroom dance. I became a member in the spring semester of 2023, and have since continued on to performing in performances and competing in competitions. Currently I am also the clubs Communication Officer.
Communication Officer Responsibilities
I’m currently the Communications Officer for the Ballroom Dance Club, and through that role I am responsible for managing the clubs’ instagram account and promoting Ballroom Dance Club at various events.
My Main Responsibilities:
Being the friendly face that greets people and helps them settle into the club has been an experience that has pushes me to grow my interpersonal skills and my designing skills, and I’ve enjoyed the process.
Also given my role, it would be mindless of me to not include this:
Follow our Instagram, @bdcuhm, to stay updated with our events.
Performance and Team Member
As a club we typically have at least one performance and one competition each semester. People who perform or compete automatically become performance and team members, and I have been part of the team since Spring 2023.
Performances
For performances our club does formations, meaning a group of us dance in a cohesive manner. This requires attention to detail, as uniformity is critical. Through performances I’ve learned how to go on the floor and just have fun.
Here is a list of performances that I've participated in:
Our next performance will be May 11, a Cha Cha, Bolero, Hustle Medley.
Competitons
For competitons, members generally focus on technique and consistency. Partnership also becomes crucial during competition as you have to operate as one unit, this requires transparency and communication. My competition experience has fostered persistence.
Here is a list of competitions that I've competed in:
Our most recent competition is the 2024 Nationals, where our UH team won the title of Highest National Average. I’ve also had the opportunity to write a feature, Just Dance, for the American Dancer on my 2024 Nationals Experience.
Our next competition will be in the Fall Semester, 2024 Hawaii Star Ball.
General Insights: Finding the Rhythm in Life
Through ballroom I’ve developed skills that transcend beyond the dance floor. Ballroom dancing is a partner dance, meaning you are constantly navigating the balance between yourself, your partner, and the floor. As a partner sport, every dance requires open and clear communication. After performing and competing with my partners, I’ve grown to learn how to deal with personal conflict and how to also communicate my own thoughts while listening carefully to theirs.
Ballroom has also propelled me to make a couple of changes to my lifestyle, mostly relating to my health. One lifestyle change I made in order to keep up with ballroom is going to the gym with a friend of mine about 3 times a week. Recognizing that ballroom is not just an art but a sport, I’ve become mindful of taking care of my body. As for my mental health, the friendships I’ve formed and the support system I have in ballroom has contributed greatly to my happiness.
While not directly connected to Computer Science, this project is something that is tied strongly to my character. The personal growth attained has helped me realize that the rhythm of life often mirrors the steps taken on the dance floor, and through ballroom, I’ve discovered how to dance to that rhythm.