Sara Olivier
Early Childhood Program Director • Modern Dance & Student Company Director • Teaching Artist
Sara is our Childhood Program Director, teaches modern, improvisation, and choreography and directs the Academy’s student dance company. A graduate of South Dakota State University with an MA in English, a dance minor and teaching certification, Sara was dance faculty at Expanding Harmony Studio and Dance Company in Brookings, and also trained at New Mexico State University’s Dance Department. She enjoys guiding students through the creative process and providing opportunities for self-expression through movement. Having completed her certification as a yoga teacher for young people with Peace and Motion Yoga as well as training in Brain-Compatible Dance Education with the Creative Dance Center, Sara integrates these teachings in classes and programs. She also teaches dance classes for Black Hills Works and choreographs for their all-ability company, Flutter Productions. In addition to teaching, she collaborates with other local artists. Sara shares the many benefits of dance and creative exploration through community outreach, having worked with Lifeways, Rapid City public schools, the Dahl Arts Center, YMCA, RC Public Libraries, Black Hills Symphony Orchestra, Children’s House Montessori, and other local non-profit organizations. Always up for a spontaneous field trip, you can find Sara improvising with students anywhere from parks to art galleries! She lives in Rapid City with her husband, Austin, and sweet dancing son, Henry.