The Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education
In 1986, Timothy Draper opened a professional dance school in Rochester, NY called Draper Studios. He envisioned a professional training program for young students with a strong foundation in classical ballet, but also including other forms of artistic dance.
The Draper Center For Dance Education is widely considered one of the top professional dance and ballet training schools in the United States. The school consistently provides the highest level of classical ballet and dance training, adhering to a curriculum that teaches formation of character, and stresses standards of excellence applicable to all areas of life.
The Draper Center for Dance Education has approximately 200 students and offers a wide variety of programs in dance education; classical ballet, pointe, variations, modern and jazz. Many successful Draper graduates have joined notable professional companies including the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet.
As the official training school for the Rochester City Ballet, the Draper Center provides a wealth of talent to RCB, including talented dancers and apprentices, experienced rehearsal staff, as well as use of its great rehearsal facilities. The school moved into a newly renovated studio facility in March of 2004, which features five state of the art dance studios, spacious lounge areas for both students and parents and locker rooms for the dancer, complete with shower facilities.
Tim Draper passed away in early 2003 and left a lasting legacy of dance professionals and exquisite training techniques that have grown beyond what he could have ever originally imagined. The school continues to thrive and cultivate amazing talent led by Artistic Director Jamey Leverett and Executive Director Kathy Ertsgaard, both of whom helped Draper shape the school’s distinguished training programs working side-by-side with him at the school for more than 18 years.
Please visit the school’s website for additional information about Western New York’s premier dance training facility, Draper Center.