Professional Training Program Ballet & Dance
Are you looking to continue your training at the College or University level and/or pursue a career as a dancer on a professional stage? Our Professional Training Program (PTP) will provide you with the skills necessary to succeed. Join the most exceptional pre-professional ballet training program in Upstate New York.

An elite level of training for serious-minded dancers
This is an elite level of training for serious-minded dancers looking to pursue dance at the highest level. Dancers in this program train six days each week. In addition to classical ballet technique, dancers study Pointe, Variations, Contemporary, Modern, & Jazz with additional training in Yoga, Pilates, & Stretching/ Conditioning. Our unique approach creates dancers who are extremely versatile and well prepared to handle both classical and contemporary repertoire.
study with Visiting Artists & Master Teachers
Throughout the season students have the opportunity to study with Visiting Artists and Master Teachers from around the world. Students have frequent opportunities to perform with the Rochester City Ballet, Rochester’s premier professional ballet company. Additional performance opportunities are available through the Draper Center Youth Ensemble, Conventions, Dance Competitions, and International Ballet Competitions.


Form Lasting friendships in an inclusive Environment
The Professional Training Program is an inclusive environment where students will form friendships and bonds with like-minded individuals who share the same passion, drive, and determination for dance. Admission is strictly by audition or personal invitation only.
Instructors
Jamey Leverett
Artistic Director
Ms. Leverett received her principal training with Timothy M. Draper at the Draper Center, the affiliated school of the Rochester City Ballet. As a former dancer with RCB, she performed major roles in Mr. Draper’s Nutcracker, and danced the lead role in his Firebird, choreographed specifically for her. During her performance career with RCB she was given opportunities to choreograph for the company. Her gift as a talented choreographer emerged, with several of her earlier works still performed by Rochester City Ballet today, such as Inner Voices and Gershwin in the Park.
Beth Bartholomew
Beth Bartholomew is a native of Rochester, NY, where she studied at the former Enid Knapp Botsford School of Dance and later with the Pennsylvania Ballet School in Philadelphia, PA. At age 18, she received a contract with the Joffrey II dancers and went on to dance with the Joffrey Ballet in NYC.
Stefanie Cheshire
Stefanie Cheshire has been on faculty with Draper Center since 1997 acting as choreographer for dance competitions and teacher of various dance styles including jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary.
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 | - |