Tim Draper (Meliora Press)

In this engaging book, journalist Wendy Wicks tells the story of revered dance teacher Timothy Draper, the Rochester City Ballet that he founded, and its predecessor the Eastman Theatre Ballet, established in 1923 as the first professional ballet company in the United States. Draper, who died in 2003 at age forty-nine, trained hundreds of young dancers who have gone on to worldwide careers with illustrious companies. Wicks includes touching reminiscences from these former students, interwoven within Draper's own story. The result is a compelling portrait of a complex and brilliant teacher.