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.

Ballet and dance professional training - Ballet School, Monroe County, Rochester NY

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.

Ballet and dance professional training - Ballet School, Monroe County, Rochester NY
Ballet and dance professional training - Ballet School, Monroe County, Rochester NY

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 - Draper Center ballet school, Rochester, NY

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.

Ballet and dance instructor - Beth Bartholomew - Ballet School, Monroe County, Rochester NY

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.

Ballet and dance instructor - Billie Jean Kandravi - Ballet School, Monroe County, Rochester NY

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.

Ballet and dance instructor - Fidel E. Orrillo Puga - Ballet School, Monroe County, Rochester NY

Fidel E. Orrillo Puga

Fidel Orrillo, born in Lima, Peru, and studied with his Aunt Stella Puga in Trujillo, Peru. At age 13 he received a scholarship to the renowned “National School of Ballet” in Havana, Cuba, directed by Alicia Alonso where he graduated and performed with National Ballet of Cuba.

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.

Class/Level 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 - - -
Draper Center for Dance Education