About Draper Center for Dance Education
Draper Center is Western New York’s premier dance academy. Come see why we’re considered one of the most distinguished dance training & ballet schools in the United States.
Located in Monroe County, we are the official training school for Rochester City Ballet, Rochester’s premiere professional ballet company. We offer a wide variety of educational dance programs including kid’s dance classes & adult dance classes. The school prides itself on providing the highest level of classical ballet and dance training, while adhering to a curriculum that teaches formation of character and stresses standards of excellence applicable to all areas of life.
We make dancers. We make careers.
Many Draper graduates have joined notable professional companies throughout the United States and around the world, including New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Met, Nashville Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, National Ballet Of Sweden, Finnish National Ballet, Alonzo King’s Lines, Cedar Lake Dance, Hubbard Street, River North Chicago, Cirque Du Soleil, Rochester City Ballet and many more. You can also find Draper Center alumni on Broadway and touring shows throughout the United States.
The curriculum and environment at Draper Center provides students with the tools, discipline, and work ethic to be successful in whatever career they pursue. Many Draper Center alumni have gone on to pursue professional careers in the medical field, law, and science, as well as dance education and administration.
Draper Center students are often the recipients of prestigious college and university scholarships for both academics and dance.
Draper Center History
In 1986 Timothy Draper recognized that the Rochester community was in need of a professional dance school – a place for students to receive a strong foundation in classical ballet while studying other forms of artistic dance. He founded what is now The Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education to meet that need.
In 2004, after the passing of Timothy Draper, Jamey Leverett took over as Artistic Director of Draper Center. Leverett and Executive Director Kathy Ertsgaard led Draper Center into a new era, moving the school into its new facility and continuing to perfect a curriculum and teaching style that has garnered many awards and national recognition as one of the top dance training schools in the United States.
Ballet & Dance Blog
latest articles…
“Within two weeks, it was apparent that this was the place for her.”
Our daughter danced at a recreational studio for years and after attending several dance competitions, realized she wanted more. A friend introduced us to the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education and encouraged us to sign her up for their Summer Intensive....
Draper Guest Artist Irene Rodriguez Interviewed by Local News
While we had our amazing Guest Artist Irene Rodriguez for the week a local news channel reached out wanting to tell her story. Below is the story that was shared with the whole Rochester area. We were incredibly lucky to have her for our 4 Week Intensive this year....
Graduating Seniors of 2023
As our 2022-2023 School Year came to a close we had to part with our graduating seniors. We wish the best of luck to them with all of their endeavors. Lilly Benz Attending Point Park University Studying BFA in Jazz Dance Danced at Draper for 6 years ...