Draper Dance Center expands "Ballet Jump-Start!" program: FREE FOR KIDS AGES 3+4

 Students in a Ballet Jump-Start! at Draper Dance Center's studio at the photo credit: Tim Leverett. Left to right, students are: Remington Marcaida, Grace Ann Bunce, Samantha Weber, and Gianna Magnussen.

Rochester, NY – Over the past 40 years, the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education has become one of the country’s top training schools, providing a gateway to professional dance careers for generations of students. In 2022, in an effort to increase accessibility for a more diverse population, the school began offering free Creative Movement classes for young children. The following year, it added classes at satellite locations outside of its studio, and Ballet Jump-Start! was born. Now, the Draper Center has doubled the number of these outreach classes at additional community venues, with more to come.

“Ballet is not just for a privileged few; it should be available to every child,” states Draper Center Artistic Director Jamey Leverett, who – despite her many artistic achievements – believes her greatest impact to be in guiding and inspiring the next generation of dancers. “Ballet Jump-Start! is a joyful way for children to begin their dance journey. While they discover the beauty of movement and self-expression, they’re also learning confidence, focus, and teamwork – skills that last a lifetime.” 

To aid in the organization and expansion of the popular program, Leverett has appointed former Draper student, professional dancer and choreographer, experienced dance educator, and current Draper faculty member Bailey Fantauzzo as Ballet Jump-Start!’s new managing director.

“Bailey has such a knack for coming up with amazing ideas for young children,” says Leverett. “She’s already finding additional opportunities to bring this program to more kids throughout Monroe County and beyond.”

“I’m thrilled to be back in my hometown and at Draper, where my journey first began,” adds Fantauzzo. “I’m passionate about nurturing the next generation of dancers and expanding access to the arts through meaningful community engagement.”

Five 2025 Ballet Jump-Start! classes are already in progress (and at capacity) at the Draper Center at JCC Rochester, but there’s still time for parents to enroll their children ages three and four into the free, one-hour classes at these area locations by visiting drapercenter.com/dance-classes/ballet-jump-start:

·  Pittsford Community Library, 10/8-22 (Wednesdays, 9:30 AM)

·  Parma Library, 10/23-11/3 (Thursdays, 10:15 AM)

·  Gates Public Library, first Friday of the month starting in Oct. (10:15 AM)

·  Winton Branch Library, 10/20-11/17 (Mondays, 10:30 AM)

·  Winton Winter Session, 1/12-2/9 (Mondays, 10:30 AM)

·  Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County, 10/11-11/8 (Saturdays, 2 PM)

·  Central Winter Session, 1/10-2/7 (Saturdays, 2 PM)

·  Penfield Library Winter Session, 1/5-2/2 (Mondays, 11 AM)

·  Strong Museum, third Monday of the month starting in Oct. (10:30 AM & 11:30 AM)

“We’re proud to see that Ballet Jump-Start! classes more truly represent the Greater Rochester community we serve,” adds Leverett.

Ballet-Jump-Start! is funded in part by the Rochester Area Community Foundation, the Farash Foundation, and Monroe County.

More about the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education: Located in Monroe County, Draper Center is Western NY’s premier dance academy and one of the most distinguished dance training and ballet schools in the U.S. Offering a wide variety of educational dance programs, the school prides itself on providing the highest level of classical ballet and dance training, while adhering to a curriculum that teaches formation of character and stresses standards of excellence applicable to all areas of life.

Many Draper graduates have joined notable professional companies throughout the United States and around the world, including New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Met, Nashville Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, National Ballet Of Sweden, Finnish National Ballet, Alonzo King’s Lines, Cedar Lake Dance, Hubbard Street, River North Chicago, Cirque Du Soleil, Rochester City Ballet, and many more. You can also find Draper Center alumni on Broadway and in touring shows throughout the United States. 

The curriculum and environment at Draper Center provide students with the tools, discipline, and a work ethic to be successful in whatever career they pursue. Many Draper Center alumni have gone on to pursue professional careers in the medical field, law, and science, as well as dance education and administration. Draper Center students are often the recipients of prestigious college and university scholarships for both academics and dance.

Some History: In 1986, Timothy Draper recognized that the Rochester community was in need of a professional dance school and founded what is now The Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education. The following year, he also founded Rochester City Ballet as a student-based company. In 2003, after the passing of Timothy Draper, Jamey Leverett took over as Artistic Director of both the Draper Center as well as Rochester City Ballet. During her tenure at RCB, she transformed the company from a student troupe into a professional ensemble, presenting world premieres alongside masterworks, creating award-winning contemporary choreography, and forging bold collaborations that elevated its profile into a nationally significant dance company.