Andrea Purrenhage is a Certified American Ballet Theater Instructor for pre-primary through level five. She is currently a faculty member at CMU in the department of Theater and Dance teaching ballet and choreographing for the University Theater Dance Company. Purrenhage began her training with the Metropolitan Ballet Center and then the Professional Ballet School under Svetlana Chrin of the Ukrainian National Ballet. She has studied with dance greats such as: Arthur Mitchell, Twyla Tharp, Laveen Nadue, and Fluer Isreal through the Dance Theater of Harlem, Dayton Ballet, and Eglevsky Ballet.

Carla Zawadzki is a senior at Central Michigan University studying dance and elementary education with focuses in integrated science and language arts. Carla has been involved in dance for many years, training alongside Deana Saunders and Stephanie Ohme, and continuing her training at CMU. Carla has been a member of the University Theatre Dance Company for the 2021 and 2022 concerts. She has also been a member of the CMU Dance Team for three years, and is entering her fourth year as captain.

Isabella is a senior at Central Michigan University with a double major in Dance Studies and Theatre Interpretation and a minor in Entrepreneurship. She has been part of the University Theatre Dance Company throughout her years at CMU as a dancer, costume designer, and choreographer. She also worked at Walt Disney World as an entertainment costume cast member assisting with shows such as "Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage" and "A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas."

Jonathan Hughes started his ballet career with a local dance studio in Georgia. He attended all four years of high school at Interlochen Arts Academy near Traverse City where he had opportunities to perform in New York City, as well as train with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Orlando Ballet. He now goes to Central Michigan University, studying English literature and psychology.

Travis Hunt is entering his senior year at CMU as a Dance Studies major. He began dancing when he was 11 years old, and is so excited to be teaching a second season at MPSD this year! Travis is a second year member of the CMU Dance Team, and has assisted Andrea in the choreography for CMU’s productions of Kinky Boots and Little Shop of Horrors. This summer Travis interned at the Wharton Center in Lansing Mi working with traveling theatre training company "Take It From The Top!"

Travis teaches Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Turns/Jumps/Leaps, and is a company choreographer and set designer for Nutcracker Reimagined.

Thea Gray graduated from Alma College with a Bachelors of Arts in Dance and Bachelors of Science in Biology with a chemistry minor. She began her dance training in Traverse City at The Dance Center before continuing on a collegiate level. She was involved in the Alma College Dance Company performing works from faculty and guest choreographers in styles including modern, ballet and contemporary. She was a member of the competitive dance team, holding one national championship, and participated in the dance academic honorary. At MPSD Thea teaches mini movers and creative movement classes!

Dr. Popp is an Associate Professor of Child Development, in the Department of Human Family Studies at CMU. She is a consultant with MPSD providing instructors with evidence based knowledge on developmentally appropriate practices when working with young students.