STUDENTS DANCE THROUGH PANDEMIC
Demand grows at Mt. Pleasant School of Dance as in-person classes return
With continuation of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Mt. Pleasant School of Dance (MPSD) continues to teach students.
The MPSD had been opened in August 2019 by Andrea Purrenhage, a Certified American Ballet Theater Instructor for pre-primary through level five and a current Central Michigan University faculty member in the department of Theater and Dance teaching ballet and choreographing for the University Theater Dance Company. Purrenhage is looking into expanding her business into a bigger space as the demand for her classes grows.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the MPSD hosted online classes before they were able to go back in-person learning later in the year.
“Every class can be an on-line class,” Purrenhage said. “Our Virtual Dance Experience (VDE) allows students to tune in anywhere for all the same technique. We have students as far as Aspen Colorado still attending weekly classes.”
Currently, the classes are almost all completely full and there are wait lists for many sections.
“Despite the pandemic and COVID restructuring, Mt. Pleasant School of Dance is celebrating all the small victories,” studio owner Purrenhage said. “Students are overjoyed to get back into the studio and their energy is palpable. Social distancing, sanitation and additional cleaning protocols are all still in place and well-received by both parents and students.”
In terms of performances, Purrenhage has figured out another way for her students to perform their dances safely.
“No performance venues in the Mt. Pleasant area are open to outside groups, so we’ve had to get creative,” Purrenhage said. “On May 22, MPSD will have its first ever Concert, at the Arts
Pavilion at Island Park— the theme is ‘Night at the Movies!’”
Some students are concerned the show will be cancelled later but Andrea plans to figure out an alternative should it be necessary.
“I don’t care if I have to pull all the siding off my house to build a stage, this show will happen,” Purrenhage said. “Using community spaces and renting equipment in Mt. Pleasant has made the process of getting the show in place surprisingly easy. Mt. Pleasant wants to see our community and small businesses succeed. There is an amazing sense of camaraderie among businesses in town which I am exceedingly grateful for.”
For the spring and early summer, MPSD plans to bring in guest artists for Summer Intensives geared toward serious dancers interested in advancing their technique. Several camps will also be available for younger students.
“Our most exciting camp this summer will be ‘Princess Training Academy’ along with Mermaid and Safari camps for our younger dance friends,” Purrenhage said. “Students are already asking when they get to ‘go to camp.’”
“I don’t care if I have to pull all the siding off my house to build a stage, this show will happen. Using community spaces and renting equipment in Mt. Pleasant has made the process of getting the show in place surprisingly easy. Mt. Pleasant wants to see our community and small businesses succeed . ... ”
— Andrea Purrenhage