ABOUT US
With a mixture of dazzling footwork and sizzling moves, we strive to bring passion to the Latin Ballroom Dance scene by reinventing boundaries and presenting Latin Ballroom in a modern light!
SMU Ardiente is the home of SMU latin dancers. We specialise in 5 dances -
Cha-Cha-Cha | Rumba | Jive | Samba | Paso Doble
Discover your passion for latin dance with us, no matter your dance background. You can look forward to a fun-filled latin dance fam! We also have numerous performance opportunities, be it internal (SMU) events or external commissioned events.
REACH OUT TO US
KEY EVENTS
- Competitions
We participate in regular inter-varsity and external competitions under the guidance of world-class instructors. - Performances
There are various opportunities for our members to perform every year, from commissioned external gigs to internal school showcases. We value all our dancers’ efforts and passion to perform onstage and present them on our social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram. - Annual Dance Productions (Un Paso)
Our hallmark annual original screenplay dance production is written, produced and directed by our very own club members. From concept to costume, our dancers come together as a club to bring magic to the dance theatre. - CCA Bonding Activities
Our club strengthens the bonds between members through regular gatherings, welfare and special holiday celebrations.
GALLERY
OUR TRAINING
| Performance Training | Technique Training | Competitive Training | |
| Day | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Saturdays |
| Time | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm | 9:30 am to 11:00 am |
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2025
- Klang Open International Ballroom Dance Championship
- 5th – Latin Novice A – Brandon & Rui Qi
- 1st – Solo Open Rising Star Cha – Ashley
- 3rd – Solo Open Rising Star Rumba – Ashley
- 4th – Solo Open Rising Star Jive – Ashley
- 2nd – Solo Open Rising Star Samba – Ashley
- 4th – Solo Open Cha – Ashley
- 6th – Solo Open Rumba – Ashley
- 5th – Solo Open Jive – Ashley
- 5th – Solo Open Samba – Ashley - 6th Brillante International DanceSport Championship
- Semi-Finalist – Latin Novice B – Cheston & Amisha
- 1st – Latin Beginner Cha – Brandon & Dawn
- 5th – Latin Beginner Cha – Ryan & Rachael
- 3rd – Latin Beginner Rumba – Brandon & Dawn
- 5th – Latin Beginner Rumba – Ryan & Rachael
- 2nd – Solo Open Adult Cha – Ashley
- 4th – Solo Open Adult Cha – Anna
- 1st – Solo Open Adult Rumba – Ashley
- 2nd – Solo Open Adult Rumba – Anna
- 2nd – Solo Open Adult Jive – Ashley
- 4th – Solo Open Adult Jive – Anna
- 2nd – Solo Open Adult Samba – Anna
- 3rd – Solo Open Adult Samba – Ashley - 12th Stars of Tomorrow DanceSport Championship
- 4th – Latin Novice B – Brandon & Rui Qi
- 1st – Latin Pre Novice Cha – Brandon & Rui Qi
- 1st – Latin Pre Novice Rumba – Brandon & Rui Qi
- 2nd – Solo Open Adult Cha – Ashley
- 2nd – Solo Open Adult Rumba – Ashley
- 2nd – Solo Open Adult Jive – Ashley
- 2nd – Solo Open Adult Samba – Ashley - 4th Aquilia-NTU DanceSport Championship
- 4th – Latin Inter-Tertiary Open Latin (2-Dance) – Brandon & Rui Qi
- 5th – Latin Novice A – Brandon & Rui Qi
- 6th – Latin Novice A – Cheston & Amisha
- 2nd – Latin Beginner Open Latin Cha – Ryan & Rachael
- 2nd - Latin Beginner Open Latin Rumba – Ryan & Rachael
- 4th – Solo Open Adult Latin C & J – Ashley
- 4th – Solo Open Adult Latin S & R – Ashley
- 2nd – Solo Restricted Adult Latin C & R – Dawn
- 2nd – Solo Restricted Adult Latin C & J – Dawn
2024
- 13th TDA DanceSport Championship
- 5th - Latin Amateur Rising - Amirul & Anna
- 3rd - Latin Pre-Amateur - Amirul & Anna
- 1st - Tertiary Latin Novice A - Kai & Rui Qi
- 5th - Tertiary Latin Novice B - Kai & Rui Qi
- 2nd - Latin Novice B - Yuhao & Zhang Ruo
- 5th - Latin Novice B - Cheston & Amisha
- 5th - 1 Dance Open Rumba - Cheston & Amisha
- 6th - 1 Dance Open Jive - Cheston & Amisha
- 3rd - 1 Dance Open Samba - Cheston & Amisha
- 6th - Tertiary Beginner Cha - Zhi Xiong & Ze Hong
- 5th - Tertiary Beginner Samba - Zhi Xiong & Ze Hong
- 7th - Tertiary Beginner Cha - Ryan & Chloe
- 8th - Tertiary Beginner Samba - Ryan & Chloe
- 9th - Tertiary Beginner Cha - Shubhash & Wardah
- 9th - Tertiary Beginner Samba - Shubhash & Wardah
- 1st - Solo Beginner Cha - Dawn
- 1st - Solo Beginner Jive - Dawn
- 1st - Solo Beginner Samba - Dawn - 5th Brillante International DanceSport Championship
- 1st - Beginner Cha Cha - Kai & Rui Qi
- 1st - Beginner Rumba - Brandon & Dawn
- 2nd - Beginner Rumba - Kai & Rui Qi
- 3rd - Beginner Cha Cha - Brandon & Dawn
- 3rd - Beginner Rumba - Cheston & Amisha
- 5th - Latin Novice A - Shawn & Ashley
- 5th - Beginner Cha Cha - Cheston & Amisha
- 6th - Latin Pre-Amateur - Amirul & Anna
- 6th - Latin Novice B - Shawn & Ashley - SMU Excellence In Student Life Award (Arts Small Group)
Silver Award
2023
- SMU Excellence In Student Life Award (Arts Small Group)
Gold Award - 11th TDA DanceSport Championship
- 1st - Tertiary Latin Novice A - Shawn & Ashley
- 1st - Tertiary Latin Novice B - Shawn & Ashley
- 1st - Latin Novice A - Yuhao & Dzung
- 2nd - 1 Dance Open Cha - Shawn & Ashley
- 2nd - 1 Dance Open Rumba - Shawn & Ashley
- 2nd - 1 Dance Open Jive - Shawn & Ashley
- 2nd - Latin Novice B - Yuhao and Dzung
- 3rd - Latin Novice A - Shawn & Ashley
- 4th - Latin Novice B - Shawn & Ashley
- 5th - Latin Pre-Amateur - Yuhao & Dzung
- 6th - Tertiary Beginner Jive - Xuan Kai & Yu Xuan
- 6th - Latin Beginner Jive - Salehuddin & Beatrice
- 6th - 1 Dance Open Samba - Shawn & Ashley
- 7th - Tertiary All Girls Jive - Anna & Emma
- 7th - 1 Dance Open Rumba - Salehuddin & Beatrice
- 8th - 1 Dance Open Jive - Salehuddin & Beatrice
- 8th - 1 Dance Open Samba - Salehuddin & Beatrice
- 8th - Latin Beginner Rumba - Salehuddin & Beatrice - Ballroom Dance Academy Singapore's Sahara 2023
- 2nd - Novice B - Shawn & Ashley
- 2nd - Novice A - Yuhao & Dzung
- 3rd - Novice A - Shawn & Ashley
- 3rd - Novice B - Yuhao & Dzung
2022
- 10th TDA DanceSport Championship
- 1st - Latin Amateur Rising Star - Andrew & Regin
- 1st - Tertiary Beginner Cha - Shawn & Ashley
- 1st - Tertiary Beginner Rumba - Shawn & Ashley
- 1st - Tertiary Beginner Jive - Shawn & Ashley
- 1st - 1 Dance Open Rumba - Yuhao & Michelle
- 2nd - Latin Amateur - Andrew & Regin
- 2nd - Tertiary Novice A - Shawn & Ashley
- 2nd - Tertiary Novice B - Shawn & Ashley
- 2nd - 1 Dance Open Samba - Yuhao & Michelle
- 3rd - 1 Dance Open Jive - Yuhao & Michelle
- 3rd - Tertiary Open Solo Samba - Anna
- 5th - Open Novice B - Yuhao & Michelle
- 5th - 1 Dance Open Cha - Yuhao & Michelle
- 6th - Tertiary Open Solo Jive - Anna - SMU Excellence In Student Life Award (Arts Small Group)
Silver Award
OUR PEOPLE IN ACTION
HOW TO JOIN THE CLUB?
Students need to audition/ interview to join SMU Ardiente. However, we do understand that this is a new genre for most people and do not require you to have any dance background prior. We are mainly looking out for your passion and commitment! By tying our audition process with the introductory workshops which will be held after Vivace, we hope that you will see it more as a fun opportunity to enjoy and showcase yourself :)
"I have always found dancing as my comfort space. Ever since I was little, dancing was a way for me to feel confident and to feel more like myself. Latin ballroom dancing is a genre that I have always found as one of the most unique form expression. It is something I have looked forward to learning for a very long time and I'd be extremely grateful if you can give me the opportunity for the same."
- Pattan Gulshan Fathima, School of Business, Year 1
"I have Latin background and I am very excited to be dancing with a group of likeminded people! Also, I have actually performed with Ardiente before as an extra in a couple of productions many years back! So I'm super excitedddd"
- Regin, School of Business, Year 1
FAQ
Competition wear is often vibrant to capture attention, but it is entirely up to you.
Any comfortable active/dancewear will do, with latin heels (girls) and shoes (guys). Yes, latin heels/shoes will be required, but don’t worry, there is a range of pricing so you won’t have to break the bank.
Newcomers have 2 training sessions a week, Wednesdays for technique and Saturdays to prep for competitions (we strongly encourage everyone to gain the experience of competing in this dancesport!). Treat these training sessions as a way to stay healthy, relax, and meet your friends amidst the hustle of university life :)
No, we do not assign fixed partners. We typically rotate partners to allow everyone to learn how to dance with different people. This also promotes flexibility in partnering for competitions, and gives everyone an equal learning opportunity.
Of course, we understand that it is natural to have a preferred partner for competitions/performances and we don’t place any rules on this.
We have 3 qualified professional latin dance instructors from Aquilia Dance Academy that will guide you every step of the way. They are:
1) Rosario : Principal and main teacher of Aquilia Dance Studio
2) Joy: Certified teacher by United Kingdom Alliance who specialises in basic to advanced techniques and ladies styling
3) Azri: Singapore’s top Amatuer Latin Competitor (SBDTA 2018), specialising in adult beginner, styling and performance
Alternatively, check out their profiles @ http://www.aquiliadance.com/instructors.
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