The Seedling Company, Pick of the Crop Dance's apprentice company, ran from 1999 to 2005. The Seedling Company was for serious dancers 14 to 18 years of age who were interested in developing their skills as concert dancers. Seedling Company members studied weekly under the direction of Artistic Director Elaine Gardner from September to May in the Dance Studio at Nichols School, a beautiful 2,500 square-foot, unobstructed studio space.  Company members were also given the opportunity to perform—as a group in the community, and with the professional company in its repertory and storybook dance productions.  Students received ongoing assessments of their progress as dancers, and received special preparation for auditions and admission into reputable college and conservatory level dance training programs. Seedling Company members also received assistance with portfolio development and preparation of audition choreography.  Seedling Company guest teachers included nationally known artists including Colin Connor, Linda Kent, Donald Byrd, Michael Blake, Kun-Yang Lin, and Teri Weikel.

Admission into the Seedling Company was by personal audition. Seedling Company classes were Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Nichols School Dance Studio.