Hawaii ballroom dancers earn top honors on national stage

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In competitive ballroom dancing, the goal is to make every movement look effortless.

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Claire Groom is doing that well enough to rank among the best in her group.

Groom said she didn’t initially plan to compete, but that changed as she started placing well.

“I said from the beginning, I don’t want to compete because I don’t have that drive. But once you start winning, It’s like, ‘Okay! I can do this!’” she said.

Groom dances with Aloha Ballroom Company, founded by award-winning choreographer and professional dancer Tony Meredith.

Meredith said his students are on a winning streak, taking first place in ballroom showcases in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

“They are committed to actually doing this, and it really shows in our results that we’re getting in the competitions,” he said.

Groom credited Meredith and dance instructor Keith Michael for her success. She said she has won three ballroom competitions, and that competing requires focus on details like posture and presentation.

“You have to stand up straight. You have to look a certain way. Don’t bend your head. Keep it this way. Shoulders this way, back, chest out. It’s like, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ It’s a lot. You’ve got to focus on everything,” she said.

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Meredith said the results come from dedication and repetition, and that what dancers perfect in rehearsal carries over to performances.

“We have a dress designer. They do hair and makeup. It’s like a full ‘Dancing With the Stars’ experience,” he said.

Meredith said the wins show Hawaiʻi ballroom dancers can compete with top dancers on the mainland, and that his students bring an added edge.

“I can tell they love it,” Meredith said. “They keep coming back for it. They’re fighters.”

Groom said she danced socially before getting interested in the competition side of ballroom dancing.

“Once you’re on the dance floor and you hear the music and you’ve got an excellent partner with you, it’s like, ‘Okay! Let’s go!’” she said.

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