Mazen Hamza/Izabella Jundzill Biography

Mazen & Izabella began their partnership in December of 2009. Their previous trainings couldn't be any more different, but their views on dancing, work ethic and goals is what sealed their partnership.

MAZEN HAMZA

Mazen was born in Lebanon. He moved to America at the age of 4. Mazen began his dancing journey in the collegiate team, and the reason for signing up were ... the girls. He has been dancing for total of 19 years. His dance training consists of International Standard and International Latin, yet he is best known as the long term professional finalist in the American Smooth, in which he has been competing for 10 years. His best and most rewarding achievement was winning the World Professional Smooth Showdance competition at the Ohio Star Ball in 2007.

IZABELLA

Izabella was born in Poland. She began dancing at the age of 6 in Poland, competing in both International Latin and International Standard. She moved to America in 2004 through the Rotary Club international high school student exchange program. She loved the US so much that she never went back home and decided to continue her college education in a private college in Westerville, OH called Otterbein College, from which she graduated with honors. Between 2006 and 2009 she competed in Professional International Latin placing in the finals in a majority of national dance competitions. She also won numerous Showdance competitions around the country.

GOALS & ACHIEVEMENTS

In a short period of time that Mazen and Izabella have been dancing together they already won numerous competitions around the country, including the 2011 North American Imperial Star Dancesport Championships. Since the beginning of their dance partnership, they have ranked in the top three at the national and world level. This year they placed 2nd at the United States National Dancesport Championships, as well as 2nd in the World Dancesport Championships at the Ohio Star Ball.

Mazen and Izabella are bringing a new dimension to the American Smooth style of dance, very contrasting and innovative from what has been done so far in this style of dance. Basing their styling on a deep understanding of body mechanics, their dancing leaves no room for ordinary interpretation of any dance.

Their goal in dancing is to achieve the highest level of self development, as well as to inspire others to further explore this style of dance as there's lots to be yet discovered and created.

EVERYDAY LIFE

In everyday life both Mazen and Izabella love to staying active; their daily routine includes gym training, yoga and some hours of practice. They both agree that dancing comes first before everything else in their lives.  Being engaged in a long term relationships with their significant others is a great way to keep them sane and balance in their stressful and fast pace lifestyle.

THE SILLY TRUTH

- Mazen is vegetarian. Izabella cannot see herself surviving any diet unless it consists of pizza and ice cream; hence her nickname: Itza Pizza.
- Mazen is convinced that he's very funny. Izabella is actually hilarious.
- Mazen is highly addicted to playing video games. Izabella is an angry driver.
- Izabella's style of dance was once compared to a wild "bush woman" (like the Australian aboriginal woman). Mazen is still trying to find a way out of the bushes.

SPONSORS

Donna Inc., a ballroom dance gown company well known for the unbeatable quality and rich design. It so happens that the owner, Donna Hamza is happily married to Mazen.

Jacob Neal Salon, voted the number one hair salon by Elle Magazine. Jacob's haircuts and hair coloring add a glamorous touch to Mazen and Izabella's already spotless grooming.

Questions for Mazen & Izabella

Getting to know American Smooth’s Coolest Dancers!

1. When did you both realize you had a talent for dancing?

Whether we have the talent or not, we always loved dancing way too much to quit it, leaving our coaches no other option, but to work with us. We are both stubborn individuals and enjoy the process of self development.

2. Any other careers that you also have besides professional dancers?

No. We’re both committed to dancing full time. Actually, our life is scheduled around dance; the amount of sleep we get, working out, yoga, diet, even our private relationships are all scheduled carefully so we can get the most out of our dancing.

3. You both travel so much ... what are some of your favorite places?

Izabella - California!

Mazen - My own bed in my own house

4. Who is the person that has influenced your dancing the most?

Olga Foraponova - a highly educated teacher, accomplished dancer, mentor and great friend. Nothing is ever good enough for Olga (laugh). She educates our minds and trains our bodies to their fullest capacity, leaving plenty of room for our personal interpretation of any dance.

5. We know how the music can help in one’s performance, but is there a relationship between fashion (what you're wearing) in a performance and the performance itself.

We both carefully choose our costumes as we want the dance style (Am. Smooth), our personal dance interpretation and the costuming to go hand in hand. We are fashion conscious individuals off the floor, which naturally carries onto the floor. Grooming and costuming play a big role in one’s performance, because as humans we are simply attracted to beautiful looks. Couples at the top need to showcase their professionalism through high quality dancing, perfect grooming, personalized and rich costuming, as well as respect towards one another and great manners on and off the dance floor.

6. If you weren't a dancer what would you both be?

Izabella - I believe I would continue working in media, radio or television. I graduated with a degree in PR and broadcasting. Back in Poland I used to work for a commercial radio station.

Mazen - I got my degree in English. I guess I could be a teacher. I enjoy reading a lot. Maybe that just means I should be a librarian??? (laughs)

7. Best way you find to relax and unwind?

Ummm... Do people do that? We rarely ever get  time off. Once a year we go on a 7-day vacation with our significant others. On an everyday basis Mazen loves to play video games, and Izabella enjoys any outdoor activities.

8. What are some of your travel must haves?

Protein bars! Can't live without them on the road.

9. What is some advice you would give to a student looking for improvement in the American Smooth style of dance?

Learn the body mechanics first to understand the techniques of shaping, instead of throwing your body into lines and shapes that may cause an injury!

10. Can you share something adorable about your partner that we would not know.

Izabella about Mazen:

Mazen is the biggest goof-ball I ever met! Despite the 13-year age difference I often wonder who's more mature in our partnership (laughs). He can speak English with many accents. My favorite is Indian! Oh, and he absolutely loves making fun of my mispronunciations, which he never forgets to bring up when we’re in the company of friends.

Mazen about Izabella:

The most adorable thing about my partner that you don't know is her ability to laugh at herself. The immediate impression one gets from seeing her dance is supreme diva, and she is, but will laugh at all of her quirks, which is a good thing because I'm a very much a goof-ball, so we can make a good team.

Scenes from Mazen & Iza’s Thriller Show Dance
 

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