| May/June Feature Team: The Little Switzerland Cloggers |
The Little Switzerland Cloggers were founded in 1989. The group began
learning beginner and intermediate routines under the instruction of
Debbie Worrell. The early practices were held at the old Burnsville
School in Burnsville, Virginia.
In the early 90’s, the LSC moved to McDowell, Virginia to the Stonewall
Ruritan Building, formerly the McDowell Primary School. Being an old
school building the set up was perfect for the now three levels of LSC,
the beginners, intermediates, and advanced groups. At this time some
of our advanced routines includes steps such as Chains and Buckin’
Wings and were performed to such songs as “Rockin’ Robin”, “Fiddlin’
Man” and “Cry, Cry, Cry”. The LSC continued to entertain audiences at
lawn parties and local festivals and fairs.
A few years later, LSC said good bye to practices at the Stonewall
Ruritan Building and made a jump across the street to the McDowell
Fire Department. The LSC settled down there for about 10 years passing
through a couple different instructors including Elaine "Sissy" Miller,
Debbie Halterman, Lori Botkin & Debbie Cornelius (temp instructors),
Lisa Johnson, and Dorothy Stephenson.
In 1999, the Little Switzerland Cloggers attended their first exhibition
at the Spring Fling in Pigeon Forge, TN at the Grand Resort. Sherry
West of the Tennessee Hoedowners came to teach 10 of LSC's advanced
cloggers a routine to "Everybody Dance Now". The team of dancers then
traveled to Tennessee in March of 1999 and attended the workshop and
competition. This was their first taste of competitive clogging. A
nervous and excited group took the stage competing under the
Exhibition category. Though the team did not place, the experience was
trophy enough. Those dancers included Shelly Roberts, Dorothy
Stephenson, Sarah Harman, Shelly Triplett, Tiffany Hotz, Jason
Triplett, Deidre Hiner, Kari Botkin, Elizabeth Botkin and Katie
Cornelius.
With the new millennium, came a new instructor. Lisa Johnson of
Augusta County came to the Little Switzerland Cloggers in 2000
bringing with her a new and more modern way of clogging. Lisa brought
styles of Buck, Canadian and Modern Clogging to the group. Soon after
Lisa’s arrival the Little Switzerland Cloggers were asked to perform at
the Miss Virginia Preliminaries. LSC opened the pageant with a routine
to Britney Spear’s “Crazy”. As the song ended, group members posed on
stage as the lovely Miss Virginia contestants strolled in. During judge’
s deliberations, a performance of “Dirty Pop” by N’Sync was given by the
group.
In 2001, the LSC, still under the instruction of Lisa Johnson, went to
the first annual Clog Attack in Suffolk, VA. The group took first in the
two categories they competing in with "Rocky Top" in the Hoedown
category and "Dirty Pop" by N'Sync in the Line category. LSC also took
home the title of Novice Grand Champions. Many of our dancers
competed individually for the first time at the Clog Attack.
In 2003 and 2005, Little Switzerland traveled to Radford, VA to
attended the Radford Univeristy Clogging Workshop and Showcase. In
2003, Lisa Johnson took the LSC to Radford and 2005 marked Dorothy
Stephenson's first year.
In 2003, we also started attending the Potomac Double Down in
Haymarket, VA. Hosted by the Bull Run Cloggers, this workshop is held
in a school building and it is a great workshop to go to.
March of 2005 brought another change in instructor. Lisa Johnson had
to make the hard decision to leave Little Switzerland. Stepping up into
her place was veteran LSC member Dorothy Stephenson, who had been
with the group since their first practices at the old Burnsville School
building. Dorothy continued the style of her mentor, Lisa, performing
modern clogging as well as the traditional styles that everyone loved.
During the Spring of 2006, the LSC was growing and needing more
space. We loved our home and family at the McDowell Fire Department
but we found a new space at The Highland Center in Monterey. So in
May 2006 off we went once more. Later that year, the group decided to
make one more change making Dorothy Stephenson sole Business
Manager and Director of the group.
The Little Switzerland Cloggers entertain to all different genres of
music including country, blue grass, pop and rock. We currently have
about 15-20 cloggers and perform in the local Virginia area, as well as
West Virginia. Several of our members compete in the American
Clogging Hall of Fame competitive circuit and have won several group
and individual honors. Above all, the Little Switzerland Cloggers love
to perform, entertain, and wow their audiences!
learning beginner and intermediate routines under the instruction of
Debbie Worrell. The early practices were held at the old Burnsville
School in Burnsville, Virginia.
In the early 90’s, the LSC moved to McDowell, Virginia to the Stonewall
Ruritan Building, formerly the McDowell Primary School. Being an old
school building the set up was perfect for the now three levels of LSC,
the beginners, intermediates, and advanced groups. At this time some
of our advanced routines includes steps such as Chains and Buckin’
Wings and were performed to such songs as “Rockin’ Robin”, “Fiddlin’
Man” and “Cry, Cry, Cry”. The LSC continued to entertain audiences at
lawn parties and local festivals and fairs.
A few years later, LSC said good bye to practices at the Stonewall
Ruritan Building and made a jump across the street to the McDowell
Fire Department. The LSC settled down there for about 10 years passing
through a couple different instructors including Elaine "Sissy" Miller,
Debbie Halterman, Lori Botkin & Debbie Cornelius (temp instructors),
Lisa Johnson, and Dorothy Stephenson.
In 1999, the Little Switzerland Cloggers attended their first exhibition
at the Spring Fling in Pigeon Forge, TN at the Grand Resort. Sherry
West of the Tennessee Hoedowners came to teach 10 of LSC's advanced
cloggers a routine to "Everybody Dance Now". The team of dancers then
traveled to Tennessee in March of 1999 and attended the workshop and
competition. This was their first taste of competitive clogging. A
nervous and excited group took the stage competing under the
Exhibition category. Though the team did not place, the experience was
trophy enough. Those dancers included Shelly Roberts, Dorothy
Stephenson, Sarah Harman, Shelly Triplett, Tiffany Hotz, Jason
Triplett, Deidre Hiner, Kari Botkin, Elizabeth Botkin and Katie
Cornelius.
With the new millennium, came a new instructor. Lisa Johnson of
Augusta County came to the Little Switzerland Cloggers in 2000
bringing with her a new and more modern way of clogging. Lisa brought
styles of Buck, Canadian and Modern Clogging to the group. Soon after
Lisa’s arrival the Little Switzerland Cloggers were asked to perform at
the Miss Virginia Preliminaries. LSC opened the pageant with a routine
to Britney Spear’s “Crazy”. As the song ended, group members posed on
stage as the lovely Miss Virginia contestants strolled in. During judge’
s deliberations, a performance of “Dirty Pop” by N’Sync was given by the
group.
In 2001, the LSC, still under the instruction of Lisa Johnson, went to
the first annual Clog Attack in Suffolk, VA. The group took first in the
two categories they competing in with "Rocky Top" in the Hoedown
category and "Dirty Pop" by N'Sync in the Line category. LSC also took
home the title of Novice Grand Champions. Many of our dancers
competed individually for the first time at the Clog Attack.
In 2003 and 2005, Little Switzerland traveled to Radford, VA to
attended the Radford Univeristy Clogging Workshop and Showcase. In
2003, Lisa Johnson took the LSC to Radford and 2005 marked Dorothy
Stephenson's first year.
In 2003, we also started attending the Potomac Double Down in
Haymarket, VA. Hosted by the Bull Run Cloggers, this workshop is held
in a school building and it is a great workshop to go to.
March of 2005 brought another change in instructor. Lisa Johnson had
to make the hard decision to leave Little Switzerland. Stepping up into
her place was veteran LSC member Dorothy Stephenson, who had been
with the group since their first practices at the old Burnsville School
building. Dorothy continued the style of her mentor, Lisa, performing
modern clogging as well as the traditional styles that everyone loved.
During the Spring of 2006, the LSC was growing and needing more
space. We loved our home and family at the McDowell Fire Department
but we found a new space at The Highland Center in Monterey. So in
May 2006 off we went once more. Later that year, the group decided to
make one more change making Dorothy Stephenson sole Business
Manager and Director of the group.
The Little Switzerland Cloggers entertain to all different genres of
music including country, blue grass, pop and rock. We currently have
about 15-20 cloggers and perform in the local Virginia area, as well as
West Virginia. Several of our members compete in the American
Clogging Hall of Fame competitive circuit and have won several group
and individual honors. Above all, the Little Switzerland Cloggers love
to perform, entertain, and wow their audiences!
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| Dorothy Stephenson Director, Instructor and Choreographer Scroll down for bio |
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Dorothy’s clogging career started when she was five
years old with the Little Switzerland Cloggers in
Bath County, Virginia performing at local festivals
and events. She has been with her Little
Switzerland Cloggers family ever since.
At 15 years old, she got her first taste of
competitive clogging in when Sherri West of the
Tennessee Hoedowners held a workshop to teach
the Little Switzerland Cloggers an Exhibition
routine to compete at the 1999 Spring Fling in
Pigeon Forge, TN. She was amazed by the groups and
individuals at the competition and knew that one
day she wanted to do that too.
In 2001, Dorothy met somebody who was a staple in
preparing her for her clogging future. Lisa Johnson,
a clogging instructor from Augusta County, found a
teaching position with the Little Switzerland
Cloggers. Lisa led the LSC to compete in 2001 at the
Virginia Clog Attack. The LSC, including Dorothy,
competed and won first place in the Line Dance and
Hoedown Category and took the title of Grand
Champion Novice Team.
Lisa brought another level of clogging to the LSC
and to Dorothy. Lisa and Dorothy became friends
but joke about how they butted heads in the
beginning. When Lisa made the hard decision to
leave LSC in 2003, Dorothy stepped up in her place
to lead her long time group.
By 2005, Dorothy had attended college and gotten
married. At that time, she was working at the Blue
Grass Valley Bank in her hometown of Monterey,
years old with the Little Switzerland Cloggers in
Bath County, Virginia performing at local festivals
and events. She has been with her Little
Switzerland Cloggers family ever since.
At 15 years old, she got her first taste of
competitive clogging in when Sherri West of the
Tennessee Hoedowners held a workshop to teach
the Little Switzerland Cloggers an Exhibition
routine to compete at the 1999 Spring Fling in
Pigeon Forge, TN. She was amazed by the groups and
individuals at the competition and knew that one
day she wanted to do that too.
In 2001, Dorothy met somebody who was a staple in
preparing her for her clogging future. Lisa Johnson,
a clogging instructor from Augusta County, found a
teaching position with the Little Switzerland
Cloggers. Lisa led the LSC to compete in 2001 at the
Virginia Clog Attack. The LSC, including Dorothy,
competed and won first place in the Line Dance and
Hoedown Category and took the title of Grand
Champion Novice Team.
Lisa brought another level of clogging to the LSC
and to Dorothy. Lisa and Dorothy became friends
but joke about how they butted heads in the
beginning. When Lisa made the hard decision to
leave LSC in 2003, Dorothy stepped up in her place
to lead her long time group.
By 2005, Dorothy had attended college and gotten
married. At that time, she was working at the Blue
Grass Valley Bank in her hometown of Monterey,
| Dorothy Stephenson Director, Instructor, Choreographer |
Virginia. She decided one day that the 9-5 schedule of her present job just wasn’t going to do
it for her. She said bye to her job at the bank and made plans to open the doors to The
Sundance Studio in an old barn. The space was perfect…. almost. The pros: a huge barn with
plenty of room and an old dance floor and studio mirrors donated by a friend. The cons: no
bathroom, no running water, thin walls, only a few electric heaters and a tiny wood stove in
the corner to keep warm. She worked through the summer to clean the years of dirt from the
old barn. In September 7, 2006, she held her first class at the studio. Two private lessons
with two boys, her newly found cousins, named Graham and Parke Kershner. A few weeks
later she picked up another student, Gussie Young. Combining these new students and long-
time friend and team member, Ashley Waggoner, the five new found friends pulled together
to form Sundance Express in October 2006 with Dorothy as the instructor and
choreographer. The team debuted with “Magic Carpet Ride” at the 2006 Radford University
Clogging Showcase. The team competes in the American Clogging Hall of Fame (ACHF)
competitive circuit and attended and placed at the 2007 ACHF World Championships in
Maggie Valley, N.C. After Maggie Valley, the group said good bye to original member Gussie
Young as she left for Colorado to attend college. In January 2008, Sundance Express
welcomed new members Becca Landrum, Emily Kimble, Ahna Colaw and Meyer Rexrode.
Dorothy is a regular instructor at the annual Radford University Clogging Workshop held by
Christina Hall. She has competed up and down the east coast earning honors in Ohio,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. She was the 2007 Amatuer Grand
Champion Female at Dieter’s Beach Jam in Myrtle. Standing next to her with the Male Grand
Champion title was her student, Graham.
Dorothy will attend the ACHF judges training in June at the Stompin’ Grounds in Maggie
Valley. She is also the founder of VirginiaClog.com, a website devoted to spreading the word
of clogging and to bring Virginia cloggers together. Dorothy’s goal is to play a part in
promoting clogging in Virginia and to encourage other cloggers to continue to spur the
growth of clogging in Virginia.
Cloggers Take Charge is another goal of Dorothy’s. CTC is a group of clogging volunteers
that pull together to help others in time of tragedy and need. While the group is still a work
in progress she wants to get it off the ground in the future.
“I love clogging and I just hope that I can do as much for the dance as it has done for me. I
tell everyone that being a clogger means that you are part of a huge, caring and loving
family. Cloggers stick together and are there for each other no matter what. I love my
clogging family, I love my students and I thank God everyday that I am able to do what I am
doing and for the wonderful people I am blessed to know. My message to everyone: Follow
your dreams! They just might come true. Mine did!”
Dorothy now leads her two teams Sundance Express and the Little Switzerland Cloggers and
also competes with the Mountain Heritage Cloggers lead by her friend, Lisa Johnson. She
owns and operates The Sundance Studio in Monterey, Virginia where she teaches…. what
else…. clogging! She says that she would not be where she is today without her wonderful
family, her always supportive mother, Crystal, and her loving and supportive husband,
Robby.
it for her. She said bye to her job at the bank and made plans to open the doors to The
Sundance Studio in an old barn. The space was perfect…. almost. The pros: a huge barn with
plenty of room and an old dance floor and studio mirrors donated by a friend. The cons: no
bathroom, no running water, thin walls, only a few electric heaters and a tiny wood stove in
the corner to keep warm. She worked through the summer to clean the years of dirt from the
old barn. In September 7, 2006, she held her first class at the studio. Two private lessons
with two boys, her newly found cousins, named Graham and Parke Kershner. A few weeks
later she picked up another student, Gussie Young. Combining these new students and long-
time friend and team member, Ashley Waggoner, the five new found friends pulled together
to form Sundance Express in October 2006 with Dorothy as the instructor and
choreographer. The team debuted with “Magic Carpet Ride” at the 2006 Radford University
Clogging Showcase. The team competes in the American Clogging Hall of Fame (ACHF)
competitive circuit and attended and placed at the 2007 ACHF World Championships in
Maggie Valley, N.C. After Maggie Valley, the group said good bye to original member Gussie
Young as she left for Colorado to attend college. In January 2008, Sundance Express
welcomed new members Becca Landrum, Emily Kimble, Ahna Colaw and Meyer Rexrode.
Dorothy is a regular instructor at the annual Radford University Clogging Workshop held by
Christina Hall. She has competed up and down the east coast earning honors in Ohio,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. She was the 2007 Amatuer Grand
Champion Female at Dieter’s Beach Jam in Myrtle. Standing next to her with the Male Grand
Champion title was her student, Graham.
Dorothy will attend the ACHF judges training in June at the Stompin’ Grounds in Maggie
Valley. She is also the founder of VirginiaClog.com, a website devoted to spreading the word
of clogging and to bring Virginia cloggers together. Dorothy’s goal is to play a part in
promoting clogging in Virginia and to encourage other cloggers to continue to spur the
growth of clogging in Virginia.
Cloggers Take Charge is another goal of Dorothy’s. CTC is a group of clogging volunteers
that pull together to help others in time of tragedy and need. While the group is still a work
in progress she wants to get it off the ground in the future.
“I love clogging and I just hope that I can do as much for the dance as it has done for me. I
tell everyone that being a clogger means that you are part of a huge, caring and loving
family. Cloggers stick together and are there for each other no matter what. I love my
clogging family, I love my students and I thank God everyday that I am able to do what I am
doing and for the wonderful people I am blessed to know. My message to everyone: Follow
your dreams! They just might come true. Mine did!”
Dorothy now leads her two teams Sundance Express and the Little Switzerland Cloggers and
also competes with the Mountain Heritage Cloggers lead by her friend, Lisa Johnson. She
owns and operates The Sundance Studio in Monterey, Virginia where she teaches…. what
else…. clogging! She says that she would not be where she is today without her wonderful
family, her always supportive mother, Crystal, and her loving and supportive husband,
Robby.
