As part of Women’s History Month, Middle Michigan Development Corporation is highlighting local women-owned businesses like Andrea Purrenhage, owner of Mt. Pleasant School of Dance.
In 2020, Andrea Purrenhage took a bold step forward, opening her own dance studio with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide high-quality dance education in Mid-Michigan so students wouldn’t have to leave their hometown to access professional-level training.
Just six months later, the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She transitioned her classes online, learning how to engage young dancers over a screen—an especially difficult task for energetic five-year-olds. She wore a scrunchie on her right wrist to help kids differentiate left from right and found creative ways to maintain personal connections.
Despite the challenges, her studio not only survived but grew. As restrictions lifted, Andrea Purrenhage realized that her small, 900-square-foot rental space would no longer accommodate her expanding vision.In 2022, Andrea Purrenhage moved her studio into a newly renovated 7,000-square-foot facility in downtown Mount Pleasant, complete with four dance studios, a dancer lounge, and a specialized Marley floor for ballet.
Andrea’s advice for other women looking to start their own ventures “There’s no manual. Nobody is coming to help you, so you have to figure it out. It’s not always easy, but if you stay persistent and stay true to your mission, you’ll find a way.”
For Andrea Purrenhage, dance is about more than technique—it’s about building well-rounded individuals. “Every girl wants to be a ballerina, but I want my students to know they are more than just dancers. They are leaders, dreamers, and creators,” she states.
She also understands the pressures young people face. Unlike her own experiences growing up in the ballet world, where she was weighed and judged for not fitting a certain mold, Andrea Purrenhage ensures her students feel supported. “Everybody has a dance body,” she emphasizes. “No one should ever be told they can’t pursue something because of how they look.”
Beyond running a business, Andrea Purrenhage is an active member in the Mount Pleasant Community. She is a part of Rotary, partners with Art Reach for different events and offers scholarships to her students to support the cost of dance classes.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Andrea Purrenhage and the countless other women entrepreneurs making a difference. They are not just building businesses; they are building communities, inspiring future generations, and proving that the stage—whether in dance or in life—belongs to those who dare to step onto it.
Join us in celebrating Women in Business! Follow MMDC’s blog and social media for more stories of inspiring women entrepreneurs in Mid-Michigan.