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
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.
Stephanie Mellinger-Reece
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.
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 >
2024-2025 School Calendar and Schedule
Registration Begins: August 1, 2024
First Day of Classes: September 7, 2024
Visitor’s Week #1: TBD
Thanksgiving Break: November 24-30, 2024
Holiday Break: December 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Visitor’s Week #2: TBD
February Break: February 16-22, 2025
Spring Break: April 13- April 19, 2025
Visitor’s Week #3: TBD
Memorial Day Break: May 24-26, 2025
Last Day of Classes: June 7, 2025
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 | - | 4:45-5:45/ E | 11:00-12:00/ C | - | 4:45-5:45/ E | 10:30-11:30/ C 11:00-12:00/ E |
| Pre-Ballet | 4:45-5:45/ E | - | 4:45-5:45/ E | 4:45-5:45/ E | - | 9:00-10:00/ E |
| Pre-Ballet Jazz | 6:00-6:45/ E | - | 6:00-6:45/ E | 6:00-6:45/ E | - | 10:15-11:00/ E |
| Ballet 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 9:00-10:15/ D |
| Jazz 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 10:30-11:15/ D |
| Ballet 1B | - | - | 4:30-5:45/ D | - | - | 9:00-10:15/ C |
| Jazz 1B | - | - | 6:00-7:00/ D | - | - | - |
| Ballet 2 | - | 4:30-6:00/ C | - | 4:30-6:00/ C | - | - |
| Jazz 2 | - | - | - | 6:15-7:15/ C | - | - |
| Stretch & Strength 2 | - | 6:15-6:45/ E | - | - | - | - |
| Boy's Class 2 | - | - | - | - | 6:00-7:00/ E | - |
| Ballet 3 | - | - | 4:30-6:00/ C | - | 4:30-6:00/ D | 10:15-11:45/ B |
| Pre-Pointe 3 | - | - | - | - | 6:15-6:45/ D | - |
| Jazz 3 | - | - | 6:15-7:15/ C | - | - | - |
| Stretch & Strength 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 9:15-10:00/ B |
| Boys Class 3 | - | - | - | - | 6:00-7:00/ E | - |
| Ballet 4 | 4:30-6:00/ C | - | - | 4:30-6:00/ D | 4:30-6:00/ B | 10:15-12:00/ A |
| Ballet 4/5A | - | 4:30-6:30/ D | - | - | - | - |
| Pointe 4 | 6:15-7:00/ C | - | - | - | - | 12:15-1:15/ D |
| Jazz 4 | - | - | - | - | 6:00-7:30/ B | - |
| Various Styles 4 | - | - | - | 6:15-7:30/ D | - | - |
| Stretch & Strength 4 | - | - | - | - | - | 9:30-10:15/ A |
| Boy's Class 4 | - | - | - | - | - | 12:00-1:00/ E |
| Ballet 5 | 4:00-6:00/ B | 4:00-6:00/ B | - | - | 4:00-5:30/ C | 12:00-2:00/ B |
| Ballet 5/PTPA | - | - | - | 4:00-6:00/ B | - | - |
| Pointe 5 | 6:00-7:00/ B | 6:00-7:00/ B | - | - | 5:30-6:30/ C | 2:00-3:00/ B |
| Jazz 5 | - | - | 5:30-7:00/ B | - | - | - |
| Various Styles 5 | - | - | 4:00-5:30/ B | - | - | - |
| Stretch & Strength 5 | - | - | - | 6:00-6:30/ B | - | - |
| Boy's Class 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| PTP 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 Variations | - | - | - | - | - | 2:00-3:00/ A |
| PTP Pointe | 6:00-7:00/ A | 6:00-7:00/ A | - | 6:00-7:00/ A | 6:00-7:00/ A | - |
| PTP Jazz | - | - | 4:00-5:30/ A | - | - | - |
| PTP Various Styles | - | - | 5:30-7:00/ A | - | - | - |
| PTP Boy's Class | - | 6:00-7:00/ C | - | 6:30-7:15/ E | 7:00-7:45/ D | - |
| Open Int/Adv Ballet | - | 7:00-8:30/ D | 12:00-1:30/ A | - | 12:00-1:30/ A | - |
| Open Beginner Ballet | - | - | 7:00-8:30/ D | - | - | - |