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 47 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 remarkable young adults. With their support, and because of the love and encouragement of her husband, Mike, she is able to pursue her true passion: educating, promoting, and sharing her love of dance with you!

Her dance training began at the age of three under the watchful eye of her mother, Pat. Her past training and examinations are accredited by esteemed organizations such as the Royal Academy of Dance, the Canadian Dance Teachers Association, and Dance Masters of America, just to name a few. Growing up, summer dance camps, conventions, and competitions were a massive and important part of her life.

She had the privilege of sharing these valuable experiences alongside her mom, which ultimately led to the ongoing success of PPSD. With the encouragement of both of her parents, her post-secondary studies naturally revolved around dance at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). There, she trained in an intensive dance program under the direction of Nadia Potts (former prima ballerina for the National Ballet of Canada). During her third year, she decided to focus her talents on the teaching aspects of dance. The disciplines she has studied primarily include ballet, tap, jazz, acro, modern, and hip-hop. In 2012, she was chosen to choreograph the Timmins centennial anniversary musical, Heart of Gold. For this production, she was appointed as the head of choreography and backstage manager, working alongside the Timmins Symphony Orchestra and multiple other talented local artists.

While staying current with new techniques and styles, her own education never stops. She regularly attends dance conferences and workshops throughout Canada and the US with well-known industry professionals. By becoming a student again, Natalie continuously learns new advancements and more effective methods for educating young people. Her top priority is always teaching the highest quality of dance. As a dance educator, she provides the vital tools necessary to build strong, confident, and happy dancers!

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

Miss Katie

Dance Instructor

Miss Katie is a third-generation dance educator, choreographer, and mental health advocate with over 12 years of teaching experience. She began dancing at the age of three at the Pat Picard School of Dance, where she trained both recreationally and competitively in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre under the guidance of her grandmother, Mme Pat, and mother, Mme Nat.

Katie teaches recreational and competitive dancers in a variety of styles, including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. As an Affiliate Member of the Canadian Dance Teachers' Association (CDTA), she is committed to ongoing professional development through certifications, conventions and continued education to provide the highest quality training for her students.

In addition to teaching at PPSD, Katie is the founder of Miss Katie's Summer Dance, a summer program that offers camps, drop-in classes, off-season training, and leadership opportunities for aspiring dance assistants.

Katie is passionate about creating a positive, supportive environment where dancers are encouraged to grow both technically and personally. Miss Katie believes the lessons learned in dance extend far beyond the studio, helping dancers build confidence, resilience, creativity, and meaningful connections. Dedicated to lifelong learning, she continually evolves her teaching methods to inspire the next generation of dancers while honouring the family legacy she is proud to continue.

Mme Rhéanne

Dance Instructor

For over 25 years, Rhéanne has been part of the PPSD family. Under the direction of her two mentors, Mme Pat and Mme Nat, she trained in jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, and modern dance. At an early age, she discovered that dancing was more than just a hobby—it was a lifestyle.

Rhéanne’s passion for dance led her to Toronto in 2014, where she attended the George Brown College School of Performing Arts. She graduated from the Commercial Dance certificate program, receiving intensive training in jazz, hip hop, and ballet, combined with acting, vocals, and chorus repertoire. It was here that she elevated her dancing to a professional level and cultivated her creative passion for choreography. Rhéanne is also a graduate of Université de Hearst, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in French.

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

Miss Mel

Dance Instructor

Mélanie Picard, aka “Miss Mel,” has been dancing since the age of three. As a registered physiotherapist, she channels her deep passion for dance, movement, and physical wellness into every session she leads. By blending her clinical expertise with her love of art, she creates engaging and supportive environments for her Parent & Tot and Barre conditioning classes. Mélanie’s teaching journey began over 20 years ago under the caring mentorship of her mother, Pat Picard. Today, she is also a certified fitness, yoga, and Barre instructor dedicated to helping participants build functional strength and healthy movement habits. Miss Mel is incredibly proud and grateful to continue dancing forward with the Pat Picard School of Dance family, honouring her mother’s beautiful, lasting legacy.