Our Story

Dancing with the feet is one thing. Dancing with the heart is another.

Since 1979, the Pat Picard School of Dance has been trusted to inspire and educate many students. We take pride in teaching dedication, hard work, respect and confidence. PPSD also emphasizes on teaching the highest quality of dance training.

Our well established dance studio is family operated for over 40 years. It features a warm and friendly setting where hard work and fun unite. We offer cutting edge choreography in both competitive and non competitive classes. Class sizes are limited and fully bilingual. Our talented team of instructors work together to ignite passion for the art of dance. We promote a positive learning environment where lifelong friendships and memories are created.

As dance techniques evolve and dancers grow, we help our students develop skills and values they will need throughout their lives. PPSD strives to offer the best to all our dancers. Our focus remains on “showcasing our students and their talents!”

Come dance with us!

Pat Picard

Founder

Patricia founded the Pat Picard School of Dance in the basement of her family home, in 1979. The dream of having a dance school was fuelled by her love for dance and her passion to share this love with others.

Mme Pat had a gift of inspiring all dancers who came through the studio doors. She made every student feel special and always insisted that we were all “friends” at the Pat Picard School of Dance!! The importance of being kind and respectful was instilled in all of her dancers. The bonus was getting professional dance instruction and having the opportunity of showcasing all of that hard work at the year end recital.

Mme Pat had a very active and successful career teaching all forms of dance for over 38 years. Dance was an integral part of her family’s everyday life. Her loving husband Gilles was her biggest fan. He was so supportive in fact, he became known as “Monsieur Pat”.

Mme Pat enjoyed every opportunity she was given to share her gift, talent and heart with others.

We miss her everyday since her passing in 2015.

Her legacy lives on…

Mme Nat

director / dance educator

First and foremost, Natalie is the proud “mom” of two pretty remarkable young adults. With them, and because of the love and support of her husband Mike, she is able to pursue her passion. “Educating, promoting and sharing her love of dance with you!”

Her dance training began at the age of three, under the vigilant eye of her mother, Pat. Her past examinations are acredited to such organizations as the Royal Academy of Dance, the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and Dance Masters of America, just to name a few. Summer dance camps, dance conventions and competitions were a very important part of her life growing up.

She had the privilege to share these valuable experiences with her mom, which has lead to the ongoing success of PPSD. With the encouragement of both her parents, her post secondary studies revolved around dance at Ryerson University. She trained in an intense dance program under the direction of Nadia Potts (former prima ballerina for the NBC). During her third year, she decided to focus on the teaching aspects of dance. The disciplines that she has studied mainly include ballet, tap, jazz, acro, modern and hip hop.

While staying current with new techniques and styles, her education continues. She attends many dance conferences and workshops throughout the US and Canada with well known professionals. Natalie becomes a student again and learns new advancements and more effective methods of educating young people. Her priority is teaching the highest quality of dance. As a dance educator, she provides the tools necessary to build a strong, confident and happy dancer!

Her passion is fuelled by her students… and her goal is to showcase their talents…

Miss Katie

Dance Instructor

Katie began dancing at the early age of three. She trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Modern. Mme Pat “Mammy” & Mme Nat (Mom) shared a passion and worked together beautifully. Having wonderful mentors like so, inspired Katie to want to start teaching. In the beginning, Katie was an assistant to Mme Pat and Mme Nat, under their guidance and direction Katie soon became a dance instructor. Miss Katie continues to attend dance conventions to further her knowledge and strengthen her technique. Katie has received multiple awards for her choreography within the PPSD competitive dance team as well as her high school dance team. She is currently completing dance certifications and is an affiliate member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. Miss Katie loves teaching children of all ages while inspiring them to reach their full potential. She teaches Hip Hop, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Ballet & Acrobatics.

Mme Rhéanne

Dance Instructor

Rhéanne has been a part of the PPSD family for over 20 years. Under the direction of her two wonderful mentors, Patricia Picard and Natalie Picard Cavalieri, she trained in the styles of jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet and modern. At an early age, she discovered that dancing was more than just a hobby; it is in fact a lifestyle. 

Rhéanne’s love and passion for dance led her to Toronto in 2014 where she attended George Brown College, School of Media and Performing Arts. She graduated from the intensive Commercial Dance certificate program where she received training in jazz, hip hop and ballet combined with in-depth acting, vocals and chorus repertoire. This is where she was able to bring her dancing to a professional level as well as cultivate her creative side to choreography. Rhéanne is also a graduate from Université de Hearst where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in French. 

To this day, Rhéanne continues to make dance an important part of her life. She is a loving and charismatic “maman” of two little ones who brings her vibrant smile, incredible talent and her love of dance to the studio. She truly enjoys teaching, challenging and inspiring the students. PPSD is a place she calls home #DanceFamily.

Miss Mel

Dance Instructor

Mélanie Picard “aka Miss Mel” started dancing at the age of three and has never stopped dancing. She is a registered Physiotherapist and has been practicing for 15+ years. Physical fitness and the love of dance have always been an integral part of her life. Her two daughters Nadia and Madison also dance and assist with classes at the dance studio. Mélanie started teaching dance 20 years ago under the guidance of her mother Pat Picard. Mélanie particularly enjoys combining her knowledge of physical therapy and the development of movement to teach classes such as Parent and Tots and Stretch and Strength for dancers. In addition, she is a certified fitness, yoga and Barre instructor with 20+ years’ experience. Miss Mel feels fortunate to be part of this wonderful team and continues to contribute to the legacy that her Mother created and was so passionate about.