Ann Marie Anderson is a Central Oregon education professional by day and a champion of joyful community connection by heart. At the High Desert Education Service District, Ann Marie helps recruit and retain vital school staff—including the incredible substitute teachers who keep classrooms running across 10 regional school districts and charter schools. Before that, she was a local elementary school librarian and bookstore manager, introducing students to the magic of books and stories. Ann Marie holds a Master’s in Management and has a long-standing commitment to community service. She’s served on local arts nonprofit boards, been a featured speaker on the TED-Ed stage and lit up the spotlight as a leading actress and director in Central Oregon community theater productions. She loves collaborative art forms—like theater, film, and dance—that bring people together in joyful, creative ways, and is especially thankful to be part of a hip-hop team that makes the magic happen together. Whether she’s helping build a strong education workforce or belting out show tunes. Ann Marie believes in the power of joy to lift spirits and connect people. Being invited to dance as one of this year’s Stars is both an honor and a thrill—and while she’s danced before, stepping into the spotlight for a live competition is a whole new kind of adventure! Let’s hear it for the educators, the artists, the dreamers—and everyone who dances like nobody’s watching!

Alex Reininger is a dancer, roller skater, and movement coach based in Bend, Oregon. With over 14 years of formal dance training—including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop—she brings both technical skill and a deep love of expression to the stage. She teaches hip hop, jazz, and ballet at The Dance Connection and leads all-ages line dance lessons at The Cross-Eyed Cricket. Alex also teaches roller skating and figure skating at The Pavilion and is the founder of Mindful Motion—a wellness practice that weaves together movement, music, mindfulness, and community. She performs with The Grand Ballet Academy and founded Roller Skaters of Central Oregon, the region’s only active roller skating club. Outside the studio and rink, you’ll find her dancing every Tuesday night at Bend Ecstatic Dance and attending Get Up and Groove—a monthly morning dance party held on the third Friday of each month. In 2020, Alex co-founded The Love for Life Foundation, a nonprofit supporting young adults with cancer and their loved ones. As the former caregiver of a partner with cancer, the mission of Sparrow Clubs hits close to home, and she’s honored to be dancing in support of such a meaningful cause. This is her first year with Dancing with the Central Oregon Stars, and she’s excited to bring heart, rhythm, and leadership to the stage as a Pro Hip Hop Coach of one of this year’s crews.