Where Movement Becomes Story
SMP DANCE COMPANY IS A HOME FOR EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT TRAINING AND FUTURE-FORWARD PERFORMANCE.
CURRENTLY OFFERING TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION FOR DANCERS — AND BUILDING TOWARD TOURING NEW ORIGINAL WORK.
WELCOME TO SMP DANCE COMPANY
SMP Dance Company is a growing creative home for dancers who want to move with meaning.
Founded by Sarah Marie Picard, SMP is rooted in the belief that presence, emotional intelligence, and story are just as essential as physical technique. Through intentional training and artistic exploration, the company offers dancers tools to expand their expressive range—onstage and in life.
We are currently focused on educational offerings, including the signature workshop Acting for Dancers, while building toward a long-term vision of original touring work, collaborative residencies, and emotionally charged performance projects.
This is a space for dancers, artists, and educators called toward something deeper. A future-forward company with soul at its center.
ACTING FOR DANCERS
A space to build emotional clarity, storytelling tools, and embodied confidence—on and off stage.
This workshop helps dancers connect deeply to their movement, trust their inner life, and perform with honesty and impact.
Ideal for studios, pre-professional programs, and working artists seeking emotionally intelligent, story-driven training with more depth, clarity, and range.
Led by Director of Dance, Ms. Sarah Marie Picard.
Led by Director of Dance, Ms. Sarah Marie Picard. As a dancer and choreographer, Sarah Marie has been featured on numerous hit shows, including ABC’s “Once Upon A Time” and Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” She has extensively toured internationally with various leading dance companies. She is regularly requested to appear as a guest choreographer at world-renowned dance institutions such as STEPS and the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Previous students of Ms. Picard’s have been accepted into iconic educational institutions such as The Juilliard School, NYU, Arts Umbrella, Rambert School, and USC and have gone on to work extensively in film and television, on Broadway, and in theatres around the world.
Brian friedman
“I had the honor of being a mentor to Sarah Marie in her formative years. Her talent was undeniable and her work ethic matched it. I was not surprised as I watched her succeed after the years of her assisting me. Following her career has been such a joy!”
Testimonials
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Tara IACABUCCI
Sarah has such an authentic and inviting way of connecting with young artists. She leads from an honest place, which allows the classroom to explore from a safe one.
Her gentle approach gives the students a chance to discover their artistry further, and with wonderful enjoyment. Her passion and belief in what dance enables in us all leaves everyone feeling seen, supported and fulfilled!
Studio Company Director, Rhode Island
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Tegan Chou
Sarah has been an extremely influential mentor in my dance journey. In addition to helping me improve physically, what makes Sarah’s mentorship special is how she contributed to my mental, artistic, and energetic growth.
Through her creative workshops and coaching, Sarah helped me dig deeper beyond the physicality of dance. She helped me find how to discover the “why,” or the intention behind my movement.
Sarah is a kind, genuine, and caring teacher- she has made me feel loved, and has curated a healthy dance environment that has allowed me to feel safe and inspired!
Former student, Currently at Juilliard
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Jennifer Eaton (Blake's Mom)
Sarah is an incredible mentor. I have witnessed tremendous growth in my daughter’s confidence and stage presence since she started Sarah’s mentorship program.
Sarah is completely invested in her growth not just as a dancer, but as a human. It is obvious that she really cares. This means the world to my daughter and to me as a parent.
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Lindsey Gentry
"…I saw things this weekend, from dancers I've trained for over 10 years, that were completely unexpected –just mindblowing how vulnerable they were!”
[Acting for Dancers]
Studio Owner, Charleston
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Annabel Kohn
Working with Sarah has been a truly transformative experience for me as a dancer and as a person. Her exceptional teaching methods create a safe environment where dancers can explore the depths of their artistry. After just one class with Sarah, I gained an entirely new understanding of the connection between mind and body while working through movement.
Without her mentorship and guidance, I would not be the dancer I am today. Whether it was summer intensive auditions, competitions, college chats, or personal check-ins, she consistently offered unwavering support and intuitive thoughts.
Former Student, currently at European School of Ballet
Follow our journey.
