A six-month formal program for
6th-8th grade ladies and gentlemen to practice their people skills, experience the tradition of partner dance, and skyrocket their social confidence.
announcing the
2025-2026 season
of the
washington cotillion
i'm ready to register!
SIX EVENTS OVER SIX MONTHS
4 etiquette/dance classes
+ 1 instructional meal
+ 1 semi-formal ball
WHO 6th-8th grade ladies and gentlemen
LOCATIONS All events are held at the Washington Civic Center.
WHEN Once a month from October through March on Sunday afternoon/evenings. Class times are to be announced as they are based on final registration numbers (tentatively planning in the 2:00pm to 7:00pm range).
TUITION $295-375 per child depending on program level and if you register with a buddy.
Or read on to learn allll the things.
I understand and I've got you!
Here are the basics:
"I'm short on time, Sydney.
Tell me what I need to know."
September Photos Photography
- Early Bird period
- Level 1 vs. Level 2
- Boy-Girl Pairs
- Standby List and Wait List
- Discounts and Payment Plans
- Schedule
- Refunds
WATCH: Everything you need to know about how cotillion registration works
October 19th
November 16th
December 7th
February 8th
(Sunday Afternoons)
Washington Civic Center
All the
classes
TEA OR DINNER
ball
Exact event TIMES are assigned to all registered students by September 25th.
If needed, refunds are available through September 30th
(minus a $25 administrative fee).
Details
Sunday, March 15th
Washington Civic Center
we're in!
register
Sunday, January 11th
Level 1 Tea at the Washington Civic Center
Level 2 Dinner Location TBA
A Virtual Event on Zoom
Thursday, September 11th, 2025
7:00 pm
(recording available afterwards on Facebook)
Please email me to request the Zoom link if you do not have it already from your invitation.
Registered and interested parents are invited to join us from the comfort of your home for a thorough program overview and live Q&A.
Parent Info Session
Note: Classes may fill prior to this Info Session.
Early registration is recommended.
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
Etiquette classes and cotillions are a classic tradition that have been a rite of passage for young people for decades. Cotillion isn’t just a one-and-done extracurricular activity. It's a memorable and identifiable segment of adolescence (just ask any adult who's ever attended cotillion).
You've got to admit there's some pretty special memory-making going on when you put on white gloves or a bow tie, waltz with a partner, and share a three-course meal with your buddies.
And if i'm being honest, that old school vibe is THE #1 reason I love it.
Not going to lie-
cotillion is old school.
I have spent hours hand-selecting, updating, and customizing every. single. lesson. until I feel completely confident that it is relevant, useful, and necessary for today's youth.
I'm fully aware that the kids in my classes will soon be the adults who are running things in our communities. My goal is to help these kids learn how to build and maintain relationships that will translate to a happy and healthy adulthood.
The lessons in my classes will always be rooted in kindness, respect, humility, and selflessness.
but i'll tell you something else
Some things just never go out of style.
"your program blows the others away"
"The more cotillion classes my children attend, the more comfortable they become in formal social settings. As a family that has years of cotillion experience, your program blows the others away!"
The McLamb Family
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.
What's best for my child-LEVEL 1 OR LEVEL 2?
Our cotillion program is divided into two levels.
Both levels are open to 6th–8th graders.
For the most comprehensive experience, we encourage starting with Level 1, though mature students may begin with Level 2 if preferred.
No prior experience is needed for either level.
What's best for my child-
LEVEL 1 OR LEVEL 2?
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
...plus a few surprises
here and there!
8 HOURS of group instruction in etiquette, manners, and social dance at a wonderful venue.
INSTRUCTIONAL MEAL - let's give them practice in a formal dining setting before they get to the real thing.
SEMI-FORMAL BALL - a grand social event to culminate the season! An opportunity to show off their dance moves and make some quality memories with both their buddies and mom and dad.
ETIQUETTE REFERENCE GUIDE - professionally bound and customized to the lessons taught at cotillion. Your family can refer back to all the material for years to come.
REFRESHMENTS - every class. Always. The punch and cookies are serious business, y'all.
Tuition includes:
Sign us up!
Registration is open to 6th-8th grade ladies and gentlemen until September 23rd (or when classes fill).
Standby Lists are likely.
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
Not going to work out this year?
Add your family to The Invite List to be notified of future classes.
Your child is a 6th-8th grader and you're willing to drive (or carpool!) to Washington, North Carolina six times between October and March.
Your core family values include kindness, courtesy, and showing respect to others.
You'd appreciate some reinforcement while navigating these socially awkward tween and teenage years. Someone to come alongside you who can reiterate the social lessons you're teaching at home.
Your child is a bit shy and could use a little confidence boost.
Your child is a social butterfly and needs a place to shine or fine-tune some soft skills.
You are looking for social connections- an opportunity to network with families in your area.
The Washington Cotillion is likely a good fit for your family if
call, text, or email- whatever's easiest for you. I'll get back with you shortly!
Still have questions?
contact sydney
I'm ready to register!
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
What's best for my child-LEVEL 1 OR LEVEL 2?
Our cotillion program is divided into two levels.
Both levels are open to 6th–8th graders.
For the most comprehensive experience, we encourage starting with Level 1, though mature students may begin with Level 2 if preferred.
No prior experience is needed for either level.
What's best for my child-
LEVEL 1 OR LEVEL 2?
CLOSE
boy-girl pair discount!
1. Find a buddy of the opposite gender (but enrolling for the SAME level).
2. Have your buddy register ASAP and note each other's names on your registration forms.
3. Save $30 each and skip past any Standby Lists!
Boy-girl pairs are solely for the registration discount. They will not be permanently partnered during the actual cotillion.
take advantage of the
CLOSE
Save
$30