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. The Ballet class is required in order to take the optional Jazz Class.
Instructors
Bailey Fantauzzo
Bailey began her formal dance training at the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education under the direction of Jamey Leverett. As a Draper student she had many opportunities to perform with Rochester City Ballet in their productions of The Nutcracker, Peter and the Wolf, Firebird, Push and Pull, Cinderella, and Carmen. She also spent summers studying at The Juilliard School, Atlanta Ballet, and Nashville Ballet.
Jillian Peschken
Jillian Peschken received her formal training at the Draper Center for Dance Education, while also performing as a company member with the Rochester City Ballet. During her time with RCB she performed soloist roles in their productions of Cinderella, The Nutcracker, and Red Violin. Jillian also had the amazing opportunity to perform with the cast of Red Violin in NYC at the
Ballet Builder’s New Choreographers on Pointe performance.
Samantha Winter
Originally from Rochester, New York, Samantha Winter, trained at the Draper Center for Dance Education from the age of 5. She was in multiple productions with the Rochester City Ballet, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Nutcracker.
Read Samantha’s Full Profile Here >
2026-2027 School Calendar and Schedule
Registration Begins: July 25, 2026
First Day of Classes: September 14, 2026
Halloween: CLOSED
Visitor’s Week #1: TBD
Thanksgiving Break: November 22-28, 2026
Holiday Break: December 21, 2025 – January 2, 2027
February Break: February 14-20, 2027
Spring Break: March 21- 27, 2027
Visitor’s Week #2: TBD
Memorial Day Break: May 29-31, 2027
Last Day of Regular Class Schedule: June 5, 2027
Second Week of June Mandatory Rehearsals Schedule for Demo: Specific times will be scheduled for all classes. Please keep in mind it may not be the same day as your student’s regular classes. They must attend dress rehearsal to perform in the demonstration.
CLASS OBSERVATION POLICY
All Draper Center class rehearsals are closed for observation except during scheduled Visitor’s Weeks. Each level will have one week of observation, two times throughout the school year. Exact dates will be announced in advance. Students are invited to observe older level classes as well during observation weeks as long as they do not conflict with their class time