National League of Junior Cotillions
Charlotte Harbor Chapter
Classes
Registration
The membership drive for Season I of the upcoming season opens on February 14th and continues until classes have filled. Membership is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the numbers must balance between girls and boys. The Charlotte Harbor Chapter NLJC and the Sidney & Berne Davi Art Center Chapters have merged and share the same schedule of Events and venues. We do not advertise, but depend on those who have graduated from our program or who are in the program to share their cotillion story with others and thus build membership through nomination.
Acceptance
Provided the class is open, and space is available, students are accepted in the order in which their deposit was received. Only students whose registration is accompanied by a deposit are considered for acceptance. Deposits are held in a set-aside account until acceptance is confirmed. Once acceptance is confimred, there are no refunds in fairness to those on the waitlist. The number of students in class must balance between girls and boys. To keep the class in balance, we accept one girl and one boy together on a first-come, first-served basis. The only exception to the first-come, first-served policy is this: Should a girl or a boy nominate their own corresponding registration, the girl or the boy is accepted with the acceptance of their nominee provided the director is notified in advance.
Membership Fees & Payment Policies
Membership fees must be paid in full by September 15th to attend class. No student may attend the opening event or any subsequent events until memberships are paid in full. If membership fees are not paid in full by the due date, a student on the waitlist will be offered your place. There are no refunds once acceptance has been confirmed.
Payment Plans & Sponsorships
Payment plans are recommended. The Foundation handles memberships through an outside accounting and bookkeeping firm.
Contact the director for information on payment plans.
Schedule / Building on the Basics
* In the case of a global, national, or local emergency, balls, classes, or events may be rescheduled or cancelled
SEASON I - THE FUNDAMENTALS
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE SEASON I SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2025-2026
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON I - LADIES
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON I- GENTLEMEN
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON I - HOSTESS & CHAPERONES
SEASON II - COTILLION'S SIGNATURE SEASON
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE SEASON II SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2025-2026
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON II - LADIES
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON II - GENTLEMEN
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON III - HOSTESS & CHAPERONES
SEASON III - THE SEASON IT ALL COMES TOGETHER
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE SEASON III SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2025-2026
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON II - LADIES
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON II - GENTLEMEN
CLICK HERE FOR THE DRESS CODE FOR SEASON III - HOSTESS & CHAPERONES
LEVEL ONE ADVANCED - DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR 8TH AND 9TH GRADE STUDENTS ONLY
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE LEVEL ONE ADVANCED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2025-2026
Reference the dress codes for Season I and Season II above
Standards of Conduct
Students are expected to act in accordance with the courtesies taught
Personalized Memory Books / Evoke Studio
As with most educational programs involving minors, personal photography and videography are not permitted at Cotillion events, out of respect for the privacy and safety of the families we serve.
To ensure that special moments are beautifully preserved, we are pleased to partner with Jessica Bunger, owner of Evoke Studio, and her assistant, Seth, who attend each class, dance, and ball to capture professional, high-quality action photos of your children participating in the program.
Families may purchase:
- • Personalized Memory Books that showcase your child’s Cotillion journey
- • Digital Downloads of event photographs
- • Access to a private online gallery, available to families who purchase either a memory book or digital package
Evoke Studio is an independent contractor and manages all photography services separately from the Cotillion program. A Memory Book Order Form will be posted as soon as it becomes available in the fall.
Tip: To ensure your child is featured in the book and to receive the best value, we recommend placing your order on or before the Opening Events.
CONTACT US
Laurie Coventy-Payne, Director
www.coventryPayne Foundation @gmail.com
941-855-0777
If no answer, leave a message
Douglas Coventry, Master of Ceremonies
Courtney McGirt, Graduate Leadership Director & Advisor
Jessica Bunger, Evoke Photograph
Julia Wrona, Bookkeeper
Classes Available:
- Junior Cotillion Year I LEVEL I ADVANCED
- Junior Cotillion Year I Season I
- Junior Cotillion Year II Season II
- Junior Cotillion Premiere Season III
Junior Cotillion Year I LEVEL I ADVANCED
* The two SWFL chapters have merged into one regional class, thus registration in Charlotte Harbor Level I Advanced Class is the same as registration in Level I Advanced Class at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
ADVANCE REGISTRATION FOR JUNIOR COTILLION LEVEL I ADVANCED - 2025-2026
DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR 8TH and 9th GRADE STUDENTS - BY INVITATION ONLY
If space is available, first-time students in the 8th and 9th grades may be offered placement in Level I Advanced. Students in Level I Advanced are dual-enrolled for the first half of the season. Having successfully learned the basics, students then move into the Season II class permanently.
Events are held monthly to accommodate busy schedules. Season I runs from late fall through early spring.
Membership fee is $775 - 8 - 10 contact hours in Season I and 22 hours in Season II - eight instructional dances, two formal balls, two instructional dinners, favors, prizes, and a Season I and Season II Cotillion Challenge Book
A deposit of $300 must accompany registration to qualify for acceptance. Deposits are held in a set-aside until acceptance is confirmed; however, for Leel I Advanced, the deposit requirement is waived until September 7th or when the director confirms acceptance.
Acceptance into Level I Advanced
Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis and must balance between the number of boys and the number of girls in a class.
Priority for enrollment in Season II is given to those who completed Season I. If there is room in the class and we need to balance it out, we pull from boys or girls registered in Level I Advanced on a first-come, first-served basis.
To balance the number of boys and girls in the class, we accept students in pairs, one girl with one boy. The boy and girl are paired only to maintain class balance; they are not necessarily paired together in class.
The only exception to the first-come, first-served basis is this: should a wait-listed girl or boy nominate their corresponding registration for Level I Advanced, as long as the director is notified in advance, the student in Level I Advanced is accepted when her nominee has submitted his or her registration and deposit no matter where the boy or the girl is on the waitlist.
As mentioned before, priority for enrollment in Season II is given to those who completed Season I the previous season. Those who completed Season I are given until September 7th to register. Thus, we cannot draw from Level I Advanced until that time, that is, unless the student nominates a corresponding Level I Advanced to maintain balance between boys and girls.
Deposits are held set aside until acceptance is confirmed.
In fairness to those on our waitlist, please keep in mind that refunds are not available once acceptance is confirmed.
Fees must be paid in full by September 20th to attend the first and any subsequent classes.
We fill quickly
If fees are not paid by the due date, acceptance is withdrawn, and placement is given to the next student on the waitlist.
Payment Plans are available and recommended
The Foundation that manages Cotillion in Southwest Florida uses an outside accounting firm and bookkeeper to manage membership payments. Contact the director if you would like to enroll in a Payment Plan.
It is going to be another beautiful season!
Junior Cotillion Year I Season I
*The two SWFL chapters have merged into one regional class, thus registration in Charlotte Harbor Season I Class is the same as registration in the Season I Class at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
ADVANCE REGISTRATION FOR JUNIOR COTILLION SEASON I 2025-2026 IS OPEN . . .
Season I is an interactive, immersive curriculum covering basic party courtesies, introductions, shaking hands, greeting others, when to rise and remain seated, how to sit with grace and strength, the importance of eye contact, good posture, cell phone etiquette, and manners in the home.
Events are held once a month to accommodate busy schedules. Season I runs from late fall through early spring.
Membership fee is $675 - 22 contact hours - five instructional dances, two formal balls, favors, prizes, and a Cotillion Challenge Book
A deposit of $300 must accompany registration to qualify for acceptance.
Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis and must balance between the number of boys and the number of girls in a class.
To balance the number of boys and girls in the class, we accept students in pairs, one girl with one boy. The boy and girl are paired only to keep the class in balance; they are not necessarily paired in class.
The only exception to the first-come, first-served basis is this: Should a wait-listed girl or boy nominate their own corresponding registration, as long as the director is notified in advance, the student is accepted when her nominee has submitted his or her registration and deposit no matter where the boy or the girl is on the waitlist.
Deposits are held set aside until acceptance is confirmed.
In fairness to those on our waitlist, there are no refunds once acceptance is confirmed.
Class size is limited to 30 boys and 30 girls in a class.
A second Season I class will open when the first one is full, provided there are 20 girls and 20 boys on the class roll.
Fees must be paid in full by September 20th in order to attend the first and any subsequent classes.
We fill quickly
If fees are not paid by the due date, acceptance is withdrawn and placement is given to the next student on the waitlist.
Payment Plans are available and recommended
The Foundation that manages Cotillion in Southwest Florida uses an outside accounting firm and bookkeeper to manage membership payments. Contact the director if you would like to enroll in a Payment Plan.
It is going to be another beautiful season!
Junior Cotillion Year II Season II
ADVANCE REGISTRATION FOR JUNIOR COTILLION SEASON II 2025-2026 IS OPEN . . .
Enrollment in Season II is open to students who have completed Season I or Level I Advanced.
The two SWFL chapters have merged into one regional class, thus registration in Charlotte Harbor Season II Class is the same as registration in the Season II Class at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
ETIQUETTE
Students enrolled in Season II, Cotillion's Signature Season, participate in an interactive, immersive curriculum that focuses on the characteristics of a young man or woman of good character, ease in communication and connection with others, table manners including formal American Style and Continental Style dining, interview skills, and the importance of good manners in both formal and casual environments.
DANCE
Students build their skills in social dance and learn many new and fun variations of the basic Walz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, and Swing, adding to their dance repertoire the basic Salsa and Merengue.
SEASON II EVENTS, CLASSES, BALLS
Two instructional dances, two formal balls, two instructional dinners, and one themed party
Opening Dance
Students review basic courtesies and dances learned in Season I
Thanksgiving Dance
Students focus on how to interview for college or business interview using STAR (guest speaker)
Winter Ball preceded by a five-course instructional dinner
Students learn formal American Style Dining
* The Winter Ball and Instructional Dinner is held at the Club at the Strand in Naples
The Valentine's Dance
Students focus on communication, connection, and community
The Fabulous Fifties Dance
Students apply basic party courtesies in a casual setting
The European Ball preceded by a three-course instructional dinner
Students learn the difference between American and Continental Dining
Bonus skill - how to twirl pasta using a fork and spoon
CHECK BACK FOR SEASON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Events are held approximately once a month to accommodate busy schedules
The Cotillion Season runs from late fall through early spring
Membership in Season II is $745
20+ contact hours - two instructional dances, two formal balls, two instructional dinners, one themed party, favors, prizes, and a Cotillion Challenge Book
A deposit of $300 must accompany registration to qualify for acceptance.
Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis and must balance between the number of boys and the number of girls in a class.
To balance the number of boys and girls in the class, we accept students in pairs, one girl with one boy. The boy and girl are paired only to keep the class in balance; they are not necessarily paired in class.
The only exception to the first-come, first-served basis is this:
Should a wait-listed girl or boy nominate an 8th or 9th-grader to keep the class numbers in balance, as long as the director is notified in advance, the student is accepted with her nominee no matter where the boy or the girl is on the waitlist.
New Season II students are dual-enrolled in Level I Advanced and Season II, attending at least three Season I classes and completing the Season I Challenge Book to learn the basics at the same time they attend Season II events.
Deposits are held set aside until acceptance is confirmed.
In fairness to those on our waitlist, there are no refunds once acceptance is confirmed.
Class size is limited to 30 boys and 30 girls in a class.
We can accommodate only one Season II Section.
Fees must be paid in full by September 20th
Students may not attend the first class until membership fees have been paid
We fill quickly.
If a student is accepted and fees are not paid by the due date, acceptance is withdrawn, and placement is given to the next student on the waitlist.
Payment Plans are available and recommended.
The Foundation that manages Cotillion in Southwest Florida uses an outside accounting firm and bookkeeper to manage membership payments.
Contact the director if you would like to enroll in a Payment Plan or if you are interested in sponsoring a student
If you need additional information, contact the director:
Testimonials from 2024-2025 Season
Junior Cotillion Premiere Season III
The two SWFL chapters have merged into one regional class, thus registration in Charlotte Harbor Season II Class is the same as registration in the Season II Class at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
ADVANCE REGISTRATION FOR JUNIOR COTILLION SEASON III 2025-2026 IS OPEN . . .
Enrollment in Season III is open to students who have successfully completed Season II
Season III is where it all comes together. Students explore American cultural traditions, deepen their conversational skills, and refine their character through themed dances, theatre outings, and etiquette experiences. From a Country Dance to an elegant Masquerade Ball, each event builds toward confident, gracious living. The season culminates in a formal Graduation celebration, where students demonstrate all they've learned with poise, gratitude, and joy. It’s a beautiful finale to their Cotillion journey.
SEASON II EVENTS, CLASSES, BALLS
Two themed dances (Country Dance & Twenties Dance [includes dinner] )
One Cultural Event (Afternoon at the Theatre [Includes Holiday Celebration])
One themed formal ball (Masquerade Ball [Elegant desserts & Mocktails])
One Rehearsal Pizza Party (Graduation Rehearsal- mandatory attendance [includes pizza, soda, and cookies])
Formal Graduation and Celebration Ball to which family and friends are invited [Graduation Ceremony, Hors oeuvres, celebration dinner, & dancing]
Tickets to the Graduation Ball are covered through Membership Fees and the Generosity of Cotillion's Enrichment Sponsors
Tickets for family and friends range between $175 and $195 pp depending on the terms agreed with the venue
Events are held approximately once a month to accommodate busy schedules
The Cotillion Season runs from late fall through early spring
Membership in Season III is $795
30+ contact hours
A deposit of $300 must accompany registration to qualify for acceptance.
Payment plans are available - contact Julia Wrona, bookkeeper, to set up a plan at [email protected]
Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis
Deposits are held set aside until acceptance is confirmed.
In fairness to those on our waitlist, there are no refunds once acceptance is confirmed.
Class size is limited to 30 boys and 30 girls in a class.
We can accommodate only one Season III Section
Fees must be paid in full by September 20th
Students may not attend the first class until membership fees have been paid in advance
We fill quickly.
If a student is accepted and fees are not paid by the due date, acceptance is withdrawn and placement is given to the next student on the waitlist.
Payment Plans are available and recommended.
The Foundation that manages Cotillion in Southwest Florida uses an outside accounting firm and bookkeeper to manage membership payments.
Contact the director if you would like to enroll in a Payment Plan or if you are interested in sponsoring a student
If you need additional information, contact the director:
Testimonials from 2024-2025 Season Parents
Click here to access testimonials
It is going to be another beautiful season!