Senzo Makhaye & Agnieszka Strojek
Senzo Makhaye is a premium dancer from South Africa. He started dancing in pre-school doing traditional “Zulu dancing” which involves dancing and chanting. When he chants your name in the ballroom, you know it's him. He invented the term "holler".
His cousin introduced him to ballroom dancing for the first time when he was 11. It all started because his uncle was getting married and that very cousin and grandmother said: “go learn how to dance properly to get ready for the wedding”. Senzo took their advice, and here we are today.
He danced for a while, won a few titles here and there, and was eventually chosen to be a part of an Amateur South African Champion couple some time later. Without thinking twice, Senzo accepted and the rest is history.
When he turned 16, the dance center moved to the city that he couldn’t afford to get to. At the time a lid was put on ballroom dancing, and Senzo kinda forgot about it. Despite all that circumstantial life stuff, upon high school completion he went to the university to study software development in computer studies. That's when he saw a second chance to do what he was passionate about.
At the university ballroom was one of the sports and Senzo hopped on it without hesitation. When he graduated, Senzo came out on top with seven A’s over 13 subjects in his three years and was a three-time South African National Latin American Finalist. During his time in South Africa, he was also on a TV series called SuperDance South Africa where he placed 8th in the country.
After all the great achievements in South Africa he decided to apply for an internship in the US. In 2011 Senzo got a placement to work in St. Louis where he met Agnieszka Strojek. They started to dance that same year, but it took 5 years to get established due to constant traveling. That's how O1 visas work.
Now Senzo is living his dream, dancing with the best partner he ever had, in the best shoes he ever had.
Agnieszka Strojek, known as Aga, was born in Poland. Some call her Kroolik. At the age of 8, she instantly fell in love with Ballroom Dancing, which has become her lifelong passion. She competed in Europe, where she constantly was a finalist in the Amateur junior Latin 10 dance Championships and also performed well in World amateur events.
She moved to USA in 2001 where she started her family. From the beginning of her career in the States, she became one of the most respected dancers in the industry. Everyone who knows and sees Agnieszka, not only knows her by her amazing feet, technique, passion for dance, and unique approach to every one of her students, but also for her loving, giving heart to each individual that she meets.
Agnieszka has been teaching ballroom dance for 20 years. She and her students have received numerous top awards at competitions across the country. She teaches all levels of dancers, from complete beginners to fellow professionals.
Both Agnieszka and Senzo have enjoyed a successful competitive career since 2011 in international Latin and American rhythm style, placing as finalists in over 100 professional competitions across the country, including in the world mambo championships.
Their goal is to share the passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge of dance with as many people as possible. Currently they continue to train with world-renowned coaches to further develop their professional ballroom careers. Being original, taking the time to learn and listen to the past champions, and learning about being authentic while incorporating modern choreography take a lot of energy. Regardless, this is what inspires them, their fans, and other people in the world. This fervor for life is what got them the sponsorship with Aida Dance USA. Something you might not know about Agnieszka is that she has two daughters, and I can play soccer just as well as she can dance.
Their Achievements:
- Volunteer State Dance Challenge 2017 –1st in rising star American Rhythm
- Southwestern Invitation 2018 – Placed 1st in the Open Professional American Rhythm
- Chicago harvest moon championships 2018 – Placed 1st in the Rising Star Professional American Rhythm
- North American Imperial Star Ball 2018 – Placed 1st in the Rising Star Professional American Rhythm
- United States Dance Championships 2019 – Place 5th in U.S. World Professional Mambo championship
- Ohio Star Ball championships 2019 – Placed 4th in the Rising Star Professional American Rhythm from a 24 couple quarter final
- United States World Mambo Championships, September 10, 2021 7th place “
- Capital 2021, 3rd in Professional American Rhythm rising star
- Ohio Star Ball, November 16-21st, 2021, Placed 3rd in Professional American rhythm rising star professional