Welcome

Welcome, Parents and Students!

Pre-registration is open for the 2023-2024 Junior Cotillion season. An overview of the program is posted below.

If you are interested in learning more about our programs, requesting an invitation, or enrolling your child in one of our programs, please contact the Director at [email protected]. You may also click on the Contact Director tab that is to the left on this page where you will enter your information.

TUITION - Tuition for Jr. Cotillion Year I (4th-8th grade) is $600 and includes the following for the year: notebooks, refreshments, prizes, class materials, and The Grand Spring Ball. You may pay in full ($600) or half ($300) tuition with your child's registration to reserve his/her spot.

Tuition for the Premier Program (9th-12th grade) is $650

Tuition for Pre-Cotillion (K-3rd grade) is $300 and includes 3 classes and graduation.

Spots do fill on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to register as soon as possible if you are interested in having your child participate!

CLASS INFORMATION - Classes will begin in September and conclude with The Grand Spring Ball in March (venue to be announced soon). Classes will be held in the Ramsey and Paramus areas to accommodate, and they will meet one Monday evening a month for an hour and a half for a total of 6 classes leading up to The Grand Spring Ball in March. 

Please know that if you ever encounter a conflict one month, your child is welcome to attend one of my other classes as a make-up.

Once the class dates have been finalized, I will email the schedule to everyone who registers.

REGISTRATION - You may register your child and pay online for the 2023-2024 year on the classes tab to the left

***If you are using your computer to register, the link is on the left side of the page. If you are using your cell phone to register, the link will be in the top-right drop-down menu.

Please contact Vanessa Corporan if you have any questions or would like more information on the Year 2 or private school programs: [email protected] - ‪(929) 277-7189.

Announcements

January, 23 2023 - Parents Reception - Join us for light refreshments as we provide a first-hand look into what the NLJC is all about and describe the programs offered by the Bergen County Chapter. Attending parents will have the first opportunity to register their child for the Jr. Cotillion (4th-8th Grades) and the High School Cotillion. We will also cover all of the details around The Grand Spring Ball! Dates for the 2023-2024 seasons Parents Reception will be shared once scheduled. 

Bethany Community Center
605 Pascack Rd, Township of Washington, NJ 07676

MARCH, 26 2023 - We are happy to announce that The Grand Spring Ball will be held at the Ramsey Golf and Country Club. Register now for the 2022-2023 Bergen County Cotillion!

NLJC is a program of etiquette, ethics, manners, and social dance training with licensed chapters in 21 states. Training thousands of young people each year, NLJC has been featured by major media networks including NBC, CBS, ABC-TV, CNN, and Associated Press. The program, established in 1978, has its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. The National League of Junior Cotillions also offers the following programs:

● Pre-Cotillion Grades PK-3rd ● Junior Cotillion 4th-5th Grade Program ● Junior Cotillion Grades 6th-8th  ● High School Cotillion Club ● Debutante

Cotillion Program ● International League of Corporate Cotillions (Business, Social and Educational Seminars available) ● Pre-Assemblies & Junior Assemblies (Scholarship Programs for socially & economically challenged).

MEMBERSHIP - Membership lists for Junior Cotillion are made up by the sponsoring committee and other sources. It is important to have an equal number of boys and girls, preferably a majority of boys to insure partners for all. This makes it necessary to have an early reply for all initial invitations so that additional invitations can be sent if necessary. Younger brothers and sisters and children of former members who have attended two years are considered to be “legacies”, and are given first preference for membership. Additional places are made available to girls and boys recommended to the committee members.

THE PROGRAM - The purpose of the Junior Cotillion program is to give young people instruction and classes in courtesies that make life more pleasant for them and those around them; to give them training in standard ballroom dancing; and provide opportunities to practice and enjoy these skills at memorable parties, complete with decorations, refreshments, favors, and prizes. In addition to the usual courtesies connected with dancing, instruction is also given in telephone courtesy, acknowledgment of gifts, introductions, receiving lines, table manners, participation in a carpool, polite conversation, paying and receiving compliments, sports etiquette, interview skills, dress codes for all occasions, formal place settings, being a guest or a host, and many other areas of social behavior. An instructional dinner is also taught to emphasize and practice the etiquette of formal dining.

After constant practice in a peer group, ladies and gentlemen are expected to leave the program with the confidence and poise that comes from knowing the correct thing to do in social situations. Members are required to conduct themselves at all times in accordance with the courtesies taught. The directors reserve the right to request the withdrawal of any lady or gentleman who fails to show progress in this area. The Junior Cotillion 4th-5th grade program has seven meetings. Six are instructional, and one is formal. The Junior Cotillion 6th, 7th, and 8th grade program has seven meetings. Five are instructional, and two are formal. The waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, swing, and other ballroom dances are introduced, as well as new and current popular dances.

ATTENDANCE - Regular attendance is a requirement. Each lesson is a follow-up of the preceding lesson and is a foundation for the next lesson. The proper progression of the group, as well as of the individual, depends upon the regular attendance of all members. Membership should not be accepted unless regular attendance can be assured. To be excused for illness or other emergencies, it is necessary to call: ‪(929) 277-7189. Members may not bring guests, other than family, to any session unless arrangements are made in advance with the directors.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE - Every session starts promptly! The directors begin to receive members fifteen minutes before the scheduled class time. Every lady and gentleman should be signed in, received, and seated by the time the class is scheduled to begin. Parents are urged to call for their children promptly to avoid imposing upon committee members who supervise departures.

DRESS - All sessions are dress-up affairs for which careful grooming is stressed. Neatly combed hair, fingernails clipped and clean, and well-polished shoes are all part of the preparation. Dancing requires hard-soled shoes; no athletic shoes, please. Ladies should wear knee-length, Sunday dresses or skirts, short white gloves, and dress shoes for dances. For the Holly Ball, and Holiday Dance, appropriate, formal, or semiformal white dresses and short, white gloves. No mini-dresses or pageant-type dresses are allowed. Gentlemen should wear khaki pants, dress shirt, navy or dark blazer, and a tie for dances. For the balls, khaki pants, white dress shirt and tie with navy or dark blazer, or dark suit are required.

PARTICIPATION OF PARENTS - Parents of Club members have a standing invitation to attend any club session. It is a joyous sight to see these young people in action. Parents cannot fully comprehend the program without observing at least one class. Parents are urged to communicate promptly with the director if any problem arises concerning a member’s participation. 

About Director

Vanessa J. Corporan

Director, National League of Junior Cotillions
Bergen County Chapter

Bachelor of Art in Dance Education

University of the Arts Philadelphia