Member Monday: Anna Marie Ronderos

​Happy New Year fellow teeth people! To start off the new year we are featuring Anna Marie Ronderos, a D2 who is a gifted clog dancer. What is clog dancing you ask? It’s a form of step dance with a focus on very intricate footwork. It is somewhat similar to tap dancing in that the routines are made up of variations of rhythmic tap sounds.
 
Anna Marie was in the 4th grade when she started clogging. “I did all styles of dance before this and wanted to try something new!” she says. “I started competing beginning in the 5th grade with a team called Dynamic Edition and continued until 9th grade. I continued to clog for talent shows and different competitions ever since. It is a fun mix of tap/jazz and hip-hop! It is not normally what people think of when they hear clogging. Normally people associate is with Irish step dancing or line dancing to country music, so it is very cool to surprise people when they ask me to clog or show them videos.”
 
Clogging is very big in the southeast and the competition is fierce. Anna Marie participated in several clogging competitions throughout her career and even competed in the clogging National Championship. In fact, she won this competition! “It’s my favorite memory of clogging, we got rings and everything!” she says. “However the ‘national’ part of champion is not so national seeing as though only people in the southeast really clog! But I will take the title haha."

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​The entire school was able to witness Anna Marie’s clogging talent last year at the annual student Variety Show. She wowed the crowd with her stylish costume and cool routine. “I loved clogging in the Variety Show this past year and I hope to continue to do it every year!” We are all excited to see her perform again this year!
 
Clogging is not the easiest talent to learn but it could be a fun new style of dance for all those dancers out there! Anna Marie’s advice is to “build up some cardio stamina before you try to clog! It’s a workout. No joke!” Whatever your dance level may be, it’s fun to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Who knows, you could become a great clogger too!