Melinda has lived in Bend for 23 years – the longest she’s lived anywhere! During those years, she was predominately a stay-at-home mom while helping her husband, Henrik, in their family business, InsureBend.com, as a Medicare specialist. She also worked as a nurse, a realtor, and had fun participating in community theater. Now that she raised two fabulous, upstanding citizens, Melinda and her husband love travelling the world experiencing new cultures, food, and people. When she is in Bend, Melinda can be found in her kitchen prepping for a dinner party, in the garden, at the golf course trying to reduce her handicap, or is very likely at the pickleball court or mah jong table with the ladies. It’s also possible that she is being actively smothered by her extremely loving and loyal Bernedoodles, Piper, and Humphry (affectionately referred to as “Dumb and Dumber”). Oh, and she still helps her husband with the business. For  years, Melinda has wanted to participate in Dancing with the Central Oregon Stars, and now is her opportunity! If she’s not the best dancer, she hopes to at least make you chuckle and entertain you well. Melinda is honored to represent Sparrow Clubs and loves being a part of positive partnerships in the community. The win/win philosophy of Sparrow Clubs perfectly aligns with her personal philosophy, and she couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of this show!

Alex Reininger is a dancer, choreographer, roller skater, figure skating coach, and movement educator based in Bend, Oregon. A Central Oregon native, she is the founder of Mindful Motion, a movement practice dedicated to helping people build confidence, connection, and joy through dance, skating, and mindful movement. With over 15 years of formal dance training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop, Alex teaches weekly beginner line dance lessons at The Coyote and coaches roller skating and figure skating through Bend Park & Recreation District at The Pavilion. She also performs with Grand Ballet Academy, founded Roller Skaters of Central Oregon, and proudly works alongside her family at Leapin’ Lizards Toy Company, a local business that has served the Central Oregon community for decades. After coaching Team Love in Motion in her debut season as a Pro Hip Hop Coach for Dancing with the Central Oregon Stars last year, Alex is honored to return for a second season. Growing up in Central Oregon has given her a deep appreciation for this community, and she is grateful for the opportunity to support Sparrow Clubs by using movement to bring people together in service of local children and families.