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Washington Cotillion
The 2025-2026 season of the
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September Photos Photography
Hello there! I'm Sydney Dunn and as a cotillion director, my goal is to come alongside parents to help grow their children into kind, capable, respectful, and socially-confident adults. Cotillion provides the perfect opportunity to practice those face-to-face interactions and social skills that will follow them the rest of their lives.
I've been teaching etiquette throughout eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia since 2016. I am incredibly excited to help Chelsea bring this program to the families of Washington!
My husband, Lee, and I live in Edenton and have a farm and four children. As you can imagine, our life is never boring!
Sydney dunn
Director
Meet The Leaders
Hi, I’m Chelsea! I am thrilled to partner with Sydney's vision and bring this phenomenal program to our community.
I’m originally from Roper, NC, but moved to Washington in 2012 after marrying my high school sweetheart, Andy. Fast-forward to today and I’m living my dream as a stay-at-home, homeschooling Mama and part-time wedding planner. I’m now eager to apply my passion for education and social events in a brand-new way: COTILLION!
We live in a world where the word “social” is most commonly associated with the word “media” and communication most often happens behind a screen and via thumbs. I believe, now more than ever, it is imperative that we intentionally cultivate social and communication skills in our students by presenting opportunities in which they are compelled to learn and grow. And that, my friends, is what cotillion is all about.
I look forward to meeting your children and hope they leave their time with us feeling more empowered and ready to engage the world with tremendous poise and purpose.
CHELSEA BOWEN
Lead instructor
Level 1
Level 2
The social basics: shaking hands, sitting, walking, and talking.
Introducing yourself and others with confidence.
DANCE The 'slow-quick-quick' rhythm of the Rumba and the basic box step.
Conversations, small talk, and interview skills.
Making friends and reading social cues.
DANCE The history and foundational steps of the Carolina shag.
How to Talk to anybody
Carrying Yourself with Dignity
Class One
Here's what we're learning at cotillion:
Level 1
Level 2
Audiences and funerals.
Carpool and public transportation.
Sports etiquette.
DANCE We introduce closed dance position and teach the gentlemen how to lead a rotation and turn.
Understanding dress codes and how to tie a tie.
Gentlemanly courtesies (which are also important for ladies so they are able to recognize a gentleman!)
DANCE We take the basic shag step and learn to add lady turns and gentleman turns.
Dress and Gents
Manners in Public
Class Two
Level 1
Level 2
Phones, texts, and emails.
Selfies and gaming.
Building a noble online presence that isn't all about your follower count.
DANCE We add more moves to our Rumba repertoire.
Polite guests and hospitable hosts.
Giving and receiving gifts.
RSVPs and thank you notes.
DANCE We try our hand (er, feet) at some fancier shag steps like Apple Jacks and the Sugarfoot.
Navigating A Digital World
You're Invited to the Party
Class Three
Note-writing.
Addressing envelopes.
DANCE All dance steps are reviewed in preparation for the ball!
Correspondence Clinic + Dance review
Class Four
Always a joyous evening, the full-course instructional dinner provides a very practical experience as we cover table manners, tipping, and toasting.
The dinner is also interspersed with a reverent and patriotic discussion on flag etiquette and civics.
Our guest speaker explains the significance of the Missing Man Table and students bring a photo of a special veteran to display.
All guests wear semi-formal attire and are encouraged to dress in red, white, or blue.
Level 2 students only
Star Spangled Etiquette Dinner
Instructional Meal
Held on a weekend afternoon, this event allows us to fully appreciate the relaxed pace of tea time shared with friends.
Tea sandwiches, sweets, and an assortment of hot teas give us the opportunity to practice essential table manners and the importance of eating slowly and neatly.
All guests wear semi-formal attire and are encouraged to wear a hat for the Hat Contest.
And rest assured gentlemen, this is not a frilly, floral, or fussy tea party!
Level 1 students only
Afternoon Tea
The Celebration Ball
The Final Event
The Celebration Ball is the grand finale event for students to show off everything they've learned and make some quality memories with mom and dad!
Dance contests, prizes, corsages and boutonnieres, and professional portraits make for a memorable evening.
Parents are encouraged to join the last 45 minutes of the ball to observe and learn the Waltz with their child.
Think middle school dance... but a touch more formal and a lot less awkward.
Ladies wear short, white gloves at each event.
See your confirmation email for shopping suggestions.
TWO SEMI-FORMAL
outfits for the meal and ball
Pants, dress shirt, tie or bowtie, and blazer or sport coat. A suit would also be appropriate. Semi-formal/party/cocktail dress or jumpsuit. Level 1 students should please wear a hat to the Afternoon Tea. Level 2 students should please wear red, white, or blue to the Star Spangled Etiquette Dinner.
FOUR DRESSY CASUAL
outfits for the classes
Pants, belt, and button-up shirt (ties or bowties encouraged, but not required). A modest and age-appropriate casual dress or skirt or romper and shoes suitable for dancing. No flip-flops or tennis shoes please.
What attire is needed?
watch this video with your kid!
A lot of kids are nervous about cotillion because they simply don't know what to expect.
This video gives them all the details to help them walk through the door with confidence.
What to Expect at Cotillion
what if my child has allergies?
Please email me before the event to discuss any allergies. While I cannot guarantee the availability or safety of food items, I am happy to accommodate where possible and ensure your child has a plan to feel safe.
refund policy
Refunds are available until September 30th (minus a $25 administrative fee). No refunds will be available after September 30th.
phone policy
Phones should not be visible during any part of the class, including the refreshment break.
Policies and Common Qs & As:
I still have a few questions...
do parents attend?
Parents are kindly asked to attend the last 45 minutes of the ball (required) and are welcome to observe the last 15 minutes of any event (optional). Chaperones are also needed at each event- please note your interest to chaperone on the registration form.
where can i find clothes for cotillion?
For boys, I like Macy's, Land's End, and Belk. For ladies, I like Dillard's, J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, Macy's, and Belk. Check out this Dress Code page that includes more details, photos, and links.
what if my child has to miss a class?
The information in each class subsequently builds toward the ball, but missing one isn't a deal breaker! Students can review the booklet, watch the online dance lesson, and complete the assignment to catch up. They may also attend the same class at a different location if desired. See the full schedule for alternate dates and options.
Does my daughter have to wear a dress?
For ladies who don't enjoy wearing dresses, jumpsuits are a great option! Our dress code page includes several non-dress options that still fit within the dress code for their gender.
"He danced enthusiastically"
"My son definitely has an appreciation for dressing up now. After cotillion, our family attended a funeral and a wedding. At both events, he had no complaints about wearing a jacket and tie. Also, at the wedding, he danced enthusiastically, even if it wasn’t ballroom dancing."
The Belvin Family
call, text, or email- whatever's easiest for you. I'll get back with you shortly!
Still have questions?
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Copyright 2020-2025 Sydney Dunn Etiquette LLC
TERMS & CONDITIONS | Page designed by em shop
PHOTOS BY LITTLE TUNA STUDIOS unless otherwise noted
Copyright 2020-2025 Sydney Dunn Etiquette LLC | TERMS & CONDITIONS | Photos by Little tuna studios unless otherwise noted | Page designed by em shop