National League of Junior Cotillions
Tampa Chapter
About
Our goal is to reinforce the qualities and social skills that we think all ladies and gentlemen need to succeed today: confidence, character, kindness, curiosity, and personality! We feel that manners still do matter and that character and ethics are an important component of a well-lived life. Also, for young students becoming socially aware, learning to dance can be a fun and rewarding way to build confidence.
We strive to have the groups equally balanced by gender to facilitate dancing; each group has approximately 50-60 students. Please note, students do not have to have been members of our Year I Group to join us for the Year II Group. Along with basic ballroom instruction, topics from handshaking and introductions to thank you notes and sports etiquette, among many others, are covered in each 90-minute class. Each season ends with our semi-formal Grand Spring Ball held at the Carrollwood Country Club.
What is the Junior Cotillion Program?
The Junior Cotillion program is a three year curriculum designed to give young people instruction and practice in the courtesies that make life more pleasant for them and those around them; to give them an introduction to standard ballroom dance; and to provide opportunities to practice and enjoy these skills at memorable parties, balls, dinners and events, complete with decorations, refreshments, favors and prizes. Please join us for our annual Open House Parents' Reception on September 7th at the "Studio" Building at the Carrollwood Cultural Center to learn more about the program prior to the start of the season in October. Students are welcome to attend, casual dress.
Who is eligible to participate?
The Junior Cotillion program is designed for 6th – 8th grade students. Students did not have to have participated as 6th graders to join us as 7/8th graders. Students are broken into two groups, the Year I Group and the Year II Group. Year I is for 6th graders and Year II is a blend of 7/8th graders. Based on registrations, The Year II Group MAY have an Early and Late session this season to accomodate increased registrations. If we do offer two sessions for the Year II Group students, experience has shown that as we get closer to October, there is always movement between the Early and Late sessions for various reasons. If your session of choice is not available at this time, we suggest you register and we will keep you posted as to availability. We are happy to add your name to a waitlist as well. Please see our "Classes" page for event times for both Year I and Year II Groups.
What life skills will my child learn in Junior Cotillion?
Junior Cotillion program places emphasis on etiquette, manners and character education as well as on dancing. The social and character education components of the program include rules of social courtesies, acknowledgments of gifts, introductions, receiving lines, participating in group settings, polite conversation, paying and receiving compliments, sports etiquette, first impressions, dress code for all occasions, manners in the home and in public places, table manners, formal place settings, styles of dining, skills involved in being a guest, hostess or host, and many other areas of social behavior. Other topics covered are the ethics involved in the areas of having honor, dignity, respect, honesty, fairness, a caring attitude, accountability, and citizenship.
How do I enroll my student?
Registration for this progam will open in June 2025. Please contact us to be placed on our list of interested families and we will email you once dates are available.