Cotillion programs deliver lessons for a lifetime of introductions, conversations, table etiquette, handwritten notes, giving and receiving gifts, honoring guests, partner dancing, and joie de vivre.
Our programs build skills up across sessions and deepen them over the years until they start feeling like instinct. The goal isn't performance, it's the ease and familiarity that follow.
When skills feel like second nature, freedom emerges. Confidence to enjoy interactions becomes the foundation of character. "Fully present" becomes reputation. Then, true personality shines through.
It goes without saying.
Until it doesn't.
It used to be understood without saying. They signed you up. You went. You learned. You came home different. Quietly, but as a matter of top priority, you'd been given the tools to thrive and the freedom to perfect and enjoy yourself.
That feels mostly gone from a lot of communities now.
We don't talk about it because it has been lost in a sea of other priorities. Bringing it up now can feel futile. We stay quiet and so we never realize we all feel the same way.
As a result, kids have to manage reading a room without the right skills or practice – improvising introductions, avoiding eye contact, texting instead of calling, feeling small at important tables, hiding in screens for that feeling of togetherness, thinking video clips are the height of interaction.
"They don't teach these things anymore." Well, that's false.
"He included Cotillion in a list of things he is thankful for at prayer time. You must be doing something right!"
Victoria
Cotillion Season Mama
"His older brother had a big soccer game on Cotillion night, but he asked me to come to Cotillion instead. So, you're doing something right!"
Laura
Junior Cotillion Mama
“Her little brother will be joining you for Season 3. He was so jealous last year hearing about how much fun she had. They're both looking forward Cotillion this year!”
Renea K
Fancy Dance
"It’s great to remind boys and girls of table manners and etiquette right before the holidays. Plus the dancing portion is always a joy to watch. Valerie Thornburg is an excellent teacher and we’re excited to be involved again."
Cheryl G
Fancy Dance
"It’s a great experience for our young men to develop those skills. Thanks for the opportunity to grow those muscles!"
Alicia L
Cotillion Season
“We have really enjoyed seeing her confidence increase because of Cotillion. We asked her if it felt like a stretch for her comfort level and she responded that it was not at all! She said it didn’t seem like (sessions) went over an hour. It seemed like 15 minutes!”
Sarah and Josh H
Cotillion Season
Every day is someday.
We're not rehearsing for the future.
The Beacon and the Dillon House are our homes.
Every session, every clinic, and every formal celebration takes place there. The calendar of occasions in these beautifully restored landmarks is built-in as an essential part of the program. The point is not to be ready to live someday. The point is to live today.
The Beacon
The Dillon House
Fancy Dance
Grades 2 – 4
Where Most Families Start
Two-session program timed perfectly to help kids enjoy the fall & winter holiday seasons.
Monday & Tuesday
Thanksgiving Week.
$55 per student
Siblings welcome!
$22 per sibling
$95 family cap
Brunch Bunch
Grades 2 – 4
Our Spring Session
A follow up to help kids enjoy the spring holidays, Mother's Day, & graduation parties.
Choose Saturdays or Sundays
Late March
$55 per student
Siblings welcome!
$22 per sibling
$95 family cap
Junior Cotillion
Grade 5
A Milestone Year
Four sessions to build on mastered skills and to prepare for Cotillion Season.
Late Winter & Early Spring
$175 per student
Season programs align with school calendars. Dates for program sessions are available now so you can plan around everything else already on your schedule.
We are so grateful for our families.
And we're pleased to open Season 3.