Dance Fire’s September 2026 trip to Hawaii Star Ball brought together ballroom competition, personal milestones, and time to explore Oahu. Anna, Jeanette B., Jeanette J., and Bryan joined professionals Ricardo, Celene, Florin, and Natalia in Honolulu for the studio’s third visit to the event.

Across Smooth, Rhythm, International Latin, and Night Club sessions, our dancers celebrated achievements at different stages of their competitive journeys—from a first International Latin appearance to the debut of new Gold Smooth routines.

Smooth results: new routines and strong placements

Anna earned five first-place and three second-place finishes in her Smooth single dances. She also finished third in the highly competitive Bronze Smooth Scholarship and second in her other Scholarship.

Jeanette J. introduced her new Gold Smooth routines, earning first- and second-place finishes in single dances and first and third in her Scholarships. Her debut was a special milestone in a week filled with reasons to celebrate.

After the Smooth session, the group enjoyed the Sheraton Waikiki infinity pool and dinner at a private club, thanks to Jeanette J.’s invitation.

Rhythm and Night Club highlights

Jeanette B. earned first- and second-place finishes from semifinals in her Bronze Rhythm single dances, along with second place in both the Bronze Rhythm Championship and Scholarship. She also took part in the Night Club session, dancing Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue and placing fifth and sixth in the Championships.

Anna’s Bronze Rhythm single-dance placements ranged from first to third, and she finished second in the Bronze Scholarship. Bryan’s Silver Rhythm single-dance results also ranged from first to third, with fourth- and fifth-place Scholarship finishes.

The Night Club competition ran from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Its “Toon Spectacular” theme added a playful twist: Natalia appeared as Wilma Flintstone, while Bryan took on Fred Flintstone and Marvin the Martian. Together, they placed second in the Night Club Scholarship, won many single dances, and earned several additional second- and third-place finishes.

Professional Latin wins and a first-time milestone

Ricardo and Celene won both the Open Professional Latin and Rising Star Professional Latin Championships—a wonderful achievement for our Dance Masters.

Bryan competed in International Latin for the first time, winning all his Bronze-level International Style dances and reaching the finals in both the Scholarship and Championship. His Footloose Jive Showcase with Natalia also received a score in the high 90s out of 100. This was the showcase’s final performance, and the pair looked forward to preparing their next routine.

Exploring Oahu together

Competition was only part of the experience. On Friday, Florin organized a day out for the group that also celebrated Jeanette J.’s birthday. The itinerary included a Diamond Head hike, a visit to the Pali Lookout to learn about Oahu’s history, lunch at a local seafood restaurant, and time at Waimea Beach.

The day concluded at Toa Luau, where the group enjoyed food, Polynesian traditions, and island dance. Saturday’s gala dinner, accompanied by the Hawaii Star Ball Orchestra, offered another opportunity to celebrate together. Our thanks go to David Alvarez and his team for hosting the event.

Curious about taking your dancing to the competition floor?

These results reflect different goals and levels, not a single path every dancer needs to follow. If this story has you wondering what competitive dancing could look like for you, explore Dance Fire’s Pro-Am experience and contact our studio to discuss your interests and next steps.

Whether you are interested in a first competition, a new style, or developing a showcase, a conversation with the team can help you decide where to begin. Readers interested in the travel side of studio life can also explore our boutique dance tours.