Marzena Stachura
Marzena Stachura was born in Poland. She started her dance education in her Moms dance studio at the age of 11, where she studied folk dance and ballroom. She wasn’t much into it until she was 15. That’s when she discovered her full passion for Ballroom Dancing. In 2002 after placing 3rd in Polish National 10 Dance Championship Slawek and Marzena got invited to teach in Los Angeles California.
For three consecutive years, (2005-2007,) they were Polish representatives to the World and European Championships in the 10 Dance division and in 2005 in Standard. Their biggest success was 9th place in the European Championships.
They were part of the TV show “Ballroom Boot Camp”, which was produced for TLC. Choreographer for Dancing With The Stars USA.
In 2008 they decided to take one year off, as their son was born in September 2008. Their come back on the dance floor was quite a surprise, Marzena and Slawek not only decided to compete in American Smooth, but they did it with the best result.
In 2010 they became for the first time US National Professional Champions in Orlando, Fl. The same year They won World Cup in Professional Smooth Irvine, CA and they have been crowned World Professional Smooth Champions in Columbus Ohio. Marzena and Slawek have won 70 Championship Titles across the United States and Costa Rica, never losing one dance.
As 4 time undefeated US and World American Smooth Professional Champions they retired in 2013.
In 2014 their daughter was born. Marzena became a traveling coach, NDCA, and WDC world-class adjudicator, and examiner for Dance Vision. Marzena has a master’s degree in Marketing and Management.
Sławek Sochacki
Slawek Sochacki was born in Poland. He started dancing when he was 17 years old. He studied International Standard and Latin under the supervision of the best coaches in Europe. In 2002 after placing 3rd in Polish National 10 Dance Championship Slawek and Marzena got invited to teach in Los Angeles California.
For three consecutive years, (2005-2007,) they were Polish representatives to the World and European Championships in the 10 Dance division and in 2005 in Standard. Their biggest success was 9th place in the European Championships. They were part of the TV show “Ballroom Boot Camp”, which was produced for TLC, choreographed many numbers for Dancing With The Stars USA, appeared in the movie “Eat, Drink, Man, Woman II -Joyful Reunion”
In 2009 he started to compete in the American Smooth division. That decision has changed his life forever.
From December 2009 till November 2013 they never lost a dance. They became 4 times undefeated US and 4 times World Championships.
Slawek’s outstanding teaching methods allowed him and his students to win 48 US and World Titles in American Smooth, International Latin, International Ballroom, and 10 Dance divisions.
Slawek has a master’s degree in Marine Biology.
Slawek is NDCA and WDC world-class adjudicator, Dance Vision examiner, and traveling coach.
Lori Woods-Gay
As a competitor, she was a US Championship Finalist in Theater Arts, New England Professional Champion and US Finalist in American Style, US pro/am Theatre Arts, American Style Smooth, and Grand Champion with husband John Gay. She was also invited to and danced in the prestigious Exhibition in Blackpool England.
She is a Championship and World Class Judge. She lectures, teaches coaches, and trains many candidates for their professional exams including lectures on American Style Smooth for the ISTD Congress in Worthing and London, England.
She spent considerable time studying the International styles and technique of Ballroom and Latin in England with the legendary Elizabeth Romain and is one of very few US Imperial members who hold a Fellowship degree in all five branches of dance and is the only USISTD examiner in all five branches. She has also held these degrees with other dance teaching organizations for many years and is a choreographer and trainer in all five styles. Her credentials represent the highest level of academic qualifications.
She is passionate about using dance techniques to enrich the quality of dance on a practical level, and she has authored many articles on this topic including her “Technique Diva” column of Dance Beat. She most recently co-authored the Theatrical Dance Syllabus manual and DVD which is now available for study as a teaching guide and for examination by many of the Major Dance Teacher Organizations.