Children’s Division –
Creative Movement and Pre‑Ballet
The children’s division is a prelude to formal ballet instruction. These dance classes introduce children to musicality and movement through creativity and group interaction. Creative Movement is tailored for ages 3 and 4, and Pre-Ballet for ages 5 and 6. At the end of Pre-Ballet, students will have a strong foundation in place to advance into the Student Division.

Creative Movement tailored for ages 3-4
Creative Movement is a joyful way to explore self expression through music and dance. Your child will work on developing physical skills, channeling energy, and stimulate imagination and creativity. Creative Movement class is filled with structured creative play, engaging and thought provoking props, story telling, and expressive pantomime. Creative Movement will give your child an outlet to dance the way they enjoy to dance while helping them to develop additional coordination, balance, flexibility, and strength. Most of all, Creative Movement is filled with fun and imagination!
Req: One class per week.
Pre-Ballet tailored for ages 5-6
Pre-Ballet is your child’s first encounter with finding excitement in the structure and detail of classical ballet training. There are many benefits to Pre-Ballet including physical preparation, flexibility, strength, and balance. There are also cognitive advantages including focus, attention to detail, and creativity.


Pre-Ballet strikes a healthy balance between structure and self expression. Some Creative Movement techniques remain in place including improvisation, story telling, and the use of thought provoking props. In addition, students begin to learn basic terminology and movement that will be utilized as they transition into the Student Division.
Req: One ballet class per week. Jazz is optional but strongly recommended.
Instructors
Stephanie Mellinger-Reese
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and also known as StephMel, she received her B.F.A in Modern Dance & Choreography from the State University of New York – College at Brockport. Throughout her college career, she had the opportunity to train with Doug Varone, Robert Battle, & The Jose Limon Dance Company.
2022-2023 School Calendar and Schedule
Registration Begins: July 15, 2022
First Day of Classes: September 10, 2022
Visitor’s Week #1: TBD
Thanksgiving Break: November 21-27, 2022
Holiday Break: December 19, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Visitor’s Week #2: TBD
February Break: February 20-26, 2023
Spring Break: April 3-9, 2023
Visitor’s Week #3: TBD
Memorial Day Break: May 27-29, 2023
Last Day of Classes: June 4, 2023
CLASS OBSERVATION POLICY
All Draper Center classes rehearsals are closed for observation except during scheduled Visitor’s Weeks. Each level will have one week of observation, three times throughout the school year. Exact dates will be announced in advance.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Creative Movement | - | 4:30-5:30/E | 4:30-5:30/ E | - | - | 10:30-11:30/ C 11:00-12:00/ E |
Pre-Ballet | 4:30-5:30/ D | - | - | - | - | 9:00-10:00/ E |
Pre-Ballet Jazz | 5:45-6:30/ D | - | - | - | - | 10:15-11:00/ E |
Pre-Ballet Boys Class | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Ballet 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 9:00-10:15/ D |
Jazz 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 10:30-11:30/ D |
Boys Class 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Ballet 1B | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Jazz 1B | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Stretch & Strength 1B | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Boys Class 1B | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Ballet 2AB | - | 4:30-6:00/ C | - | 4:30-6:00/ D | - | - |
Jazz 2AB | - | - | - | 6:15-7:15/ D | - | - |
Stretch & Strength 2AB | - | 6:00-6:30/ E | - | - | - | - |
Boy's Class 2AB | - | - | - | - | 6:25-7:00/ C | - |
Ballet 3AB | - | - | 4:30-6:00/ D | - | 4:30-6:15/ D | 12:00-1:45/ C |
Pre-Pointe 3AB | - | - | - | - | 6:30-7:00/ D | - |
Jazz 3AB | - | - | 6:15-7:30/ D | - | - | - |
Stretch & Strength 3AB | - | - | - | - | - | 11:30-12:00/ C |
Boys Class 3AB | - | - | - | - | 6:25-7:00/ C | - |
Ballet 4AB | 4:30-6:00/ C | - | 4:30-6:00/ C | 4:30-6:00/ C | - | 10:00-11:45/ B |
Pointe 4AB | 6:15-7:00/ C | - | 6:15-7:00/ C | - | - | - |
Jazz 4AB | - | - | - | 6:15-7:30/ C | - | - |
Modern 4AB | - | - | - | - | - | 12:00-1:30/ D |
Stretch & Strength 4AB | - | - | - | - | - | 9:30-10:00/ B |
Boy's Class 4AB | - | - | - | - | 6:25-7:00/ C | - |
Ballet 5B | 4:00-6:00/ B | 4:00-6:00/ D | 4:00-5:45/ B | - | 4:00-5:45/ C | 10:00-11:45/ A |
Pointe 5B | 6:00-7:00/ B | 6:00-7:00/ D | - | - | - | 12:00-1:00/ B |
Jazz 5B | - | - | 5:45-7:15/ B | - | - | - |
Modern 5A | - | - | - | - | 6:00-7:30/ B | - |
Stretch & Strength 5B | - | - | - | - | - | 9:30-10:00/ A |
Boy's Class 5B | - | 6:00-7:00/ C | - | - | 7:00-7:45/ C | - |
PTP A Ballet | 4:00-6:00/ B | 4:00-6:00/ B | 4:00-5:45/ B | 4:00-6:00/ B | 4:00-5:45/ B | 10:00-11:45/ A |
PTP A Pointe | 6:00-7:00/ B | 6:00-7:00/ B | - | 6:00-7:00/ B | - | 12-:00-1:00/ B |
PTP A Jazz | - | - | 5:45-7:15/ B | - | - | - |
PTP A Modern | - | - | - | - | 6:00-7:30/ B | - |
PTP A Stretch & Strength | - | - | - | - | - | 9:30-10:00/ A |
PTP A Boy's Class | - | 6:00-7:00/ C | - | - | 7:00-7:45/ C | - |
PTP B Ballet | 4:00-6:00/ A | 4:00-6:00/ A | - | 4:00-6:00/ A | 4:00-6:00/ A | 12:00-2:00/ A |
PTP B Variations | - | - | - | - | - | 2:00-3:00/ CD |
PTP B Pointe | 6:00-7:00/ A | 6:00-7:00/ A | - | 6:00-7:00/ A | 6:00-7:00/ A | - |
PTP B Jazz | - | - | 4:00-5:30/ A | - | - | - |
PTP B Modern | - | - | 5:30-7:00/ A | - | - | - |
PTP B Stretch & Strength | - | - | - | - | - | - |
PTP B Boy's Class | - | 6:00-7:00/ C | - | - | 7:00-7:45/ C | - |
Open Int/Adv Ballet | - | 7:00-8:30/ D | - | - | 12:00-1:30/ D | - |