Draper Center

Ballet &
Dance Blog

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Worth the Commute from the Buffalo Area

Worth the Commute from the Buffalo Area

When it became clear our daughter needed a more serious ballet studio we considered a number of options but from our first visit to the Draper Center we knew it was the right place for her. In the short time she has been at Draper we have seen tremendous growth in her...

“Draper fosters both his passion and his skill.”

“Draper fosters both his passion and his skill.”

My son, Ronan, learns, grows and dances at Draper. From the moment he auditioned to now, over 4 years at this point, he continues to look forward to class with all his instructors every day with a smile and an urgency to get to class. Dancing and ballet is his...

The Perfect Balance of Challenge and Support

The Perfect Balance of Challenge and Support

We first learned about the Draper Center through our daughter’s participation in Rochester City Ballet’s annual Nutcracker production.   Following a great Nutcracker experience, she participated in Draper Center’s two week summer intensive program where she...

“Exceeded every expectation.”

“Exceeded every expectation.”

When our family was planning a move from the Buffalo area to Rochester a couple of years ago, one of our biggest concerns was finding the right dance school for our daughters. Draper Center for Dance Education has met and exceeded every expectation we hoped for. Both...

A Focus on Technique & Training

A Focus on Technique & Training

I enrolled both my daughters at Draper because of their focus on technique & training. As a former dancer, I understand first hand the importance of quality instruction and establishing correct form and placement from the beginning. My daughters have been...

“Every single teacher is world-class”

“Every single teacher is world-class”

My daughter began dancing at three and fell in love with ballet completely at age six. At that time, we left our local studio and sought out a ballet focused school. Last year, at twelve, she decided she wanted to bring her ballet to a higher level and asked to attend...

“Our third and final stop in finding the perfect dance school.”

“Our third and final stop in finding the perfect dance school.”

Our 11 year old daughter has been taking dance classes since she was 3 years old, and has been at Draper for the past year and a half. This is our third and final stop in finding the perfect dance school for our daughter. We have never seen her happier in all her...

“The confidence she now has in herself is invaluable.”

“The confidence she now has in herself is invaluable.”

As a parent unfamiliar with the dance world, but having a daughter who so clearly and naturally had a desire and need to dance, I felt ill-equipped with how to foster it. A friend recommended we call Draper to see if they had what she needed, and we have not looked...

“Full of excellent athletes and artists in-the-making.”

“Full of excellent athletes and artists in-the-making.”

My husband and I are thrilled with the dance education the Draper Center provides our daughter and son. The attention to technique and detail is exceptional. There aren’t one or two fantastic dancers in each class. The classes are full of excellent athletes and...

Amazing Leadership, Teachers, and Staff

Amazing Leadership, Teachers, and Staff

Both of my daughters (ages 8 and 5) have attended Draper for a little over a year and their growth within that time has been amazing to witness. Not only have they grown in their technique, but they have learned to be a part of a community of dancers where everyone is...

Exceptional Training and Invaluable Opportunities

Exceptional Training and Invaluable Opportunities

Draper Center has provided my daughters, Jordan and Jocelyn, with exceptional training and invaluable opportunities. They have learned the importance of discipline, collaboration with others, and time management. They have been afforded performance opportunities that...

Personalized Attention

Personalized Attention

When our competition dance studio closed suddenly, I was faced with the daunting task of selecting a new studio from the many great places for kids to dance in Rochester. My daughters were beginning a solid skill set in jazz, tap, hip-hop and ballet. The quality of...

“The only school I would recommend.”

“The only school I would recommend.”

Before finding Draper my three girls attended other local dance studios. None of them compare to the quality of instruction we have experienced at Draper. The instructors take the time to teach each child proper technique while building the child’s confidence. Draper...

Awesome and Caring Instructors

Awesome and Caring Instructors

Draper Center has been everything and then some for our daughter as she has refined her technique with the help of the awesome and caring instructors. They have guided her and challenged her on every level possible. They have continually encouraged her to keep pushing...

Draper “allowed me to fulfill my dreams as a dancer and artist.”

Draper “allowed me to fulfill my dreams as a dancer and artist.”

All of the training I received at Draper Center for Dance Education allowed me to fulfill my dreams as a professional dancer and artist. The staff helped to shape not only my technique but my own unique artistry that set me apart from the other dancers in my...

Grateful for the Stage Experience

Grateful for the Stage Experience

I had a great time at Draper Center for all of the seven years that I trained there. What I am most grateful for is the amount of stage experience I received while I was dancing at Draper Center. Not only did the teachers help improve my technique, but they forced you...

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We Make Dancers. We Make Careers.

Many Draper graduates have joined notable professional companies including New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Met, Nashville Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, National Ballet Of Canada, Alonzo King's Lines, Cedar Lake Dance, Hubbard Street, Cirque Du Soleil, Rochester City Ballet and many more.

Draper Center for Dance Education