Special to the
News-Times
EL DORADO — The El Dorado Junior Cotillion is beginning their 10th season for the 2016-17 year.
The cotillion is a program for students in grades one through eight and ballroom dancing, line dancing and popular dancing will be taught and practiced.
The mission of the cotillion is to “help students gain self-confidence and self-esteem while practicing social skills that will last a lifetime,” said Amy Allen. “Cotillion was created to give children and young adults an opportunity to participate in social settings where manners and social dance are learned in a fun environment.”
She explained that the El Dorado Junior Cotillion was started in 1991, by Suzanne Reynolds, after she completed training with the franchise of The Graces. Leaving El Dorado in 1995, Reynolds continued cotillion in Texas and after returning to Arkansas, she partnered with Tracy Fort in 2008 to continue the program.
All classes and dances will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 512 Champagnolle, El Dorado.
First through fourth graders may participate in Cotillion Club to learn introductory etiquette, leadership skills, table manners, respect, introductions, writing thank you notes and generous courtesies.
Two sessions will be offered beginning at 9 a.m. on Oct. 22 or Feb. 17 and ending at 1 p.m. A fee of $40 will be charged for the first session before Oct. 9.
Applications can be obtained by contacting Reynolds or Fort at 703 N. Madison in El Dorado, email [email protected] or [email protected] or from the website at www.eldoradojuniorcotillion.com. For more information, contact Reynolds at 870-866-3477 or Fort at 870-918-4403.
The curriculum for the fifth- and sixth-grade students will include teaching of dance and social graces. Manners will be taught and put into practice at each dance, Allen said. Two dinners will be served (one formal and one informal) with instruction regarding table graces. To secure a place in the fifth and sixth grade cotillion, an
application, along with a fee of $200 should be submitted before Oct. 9. A confirmation letter will be sent to parents after applications and fees are received.
The schedule for the fifth and sixth graders will include orientation from 3 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 9 or Oct. 16 (casual dress); a semi-formal ball from 7 until 9:30- p.m. on Oct. 22; a holiday dinner and semi-formal ball from 6 until 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 3; a 50’s-60’s sock hop and dinner (costume) from 6 until 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 and a formal ball from 7 until 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 18.
For seventh and eighth graders, the program will continue to build on skills from the previous program. Two dances with instruction and one dinner will be offered for the students. New cotillion members and those who have participated in the past are invited.
The fee for this program is $100 and applications and fees should be sent before Nov. 19. A confirmation letter will be sent to parents after the application and fees are received.
The schedule for seventh and eighth graders will include a holiday dinner and dance from 6 until 10 p.m. on Dec. 10 and a 50’s-60’s sock hop from 7 until 10 p.m. on Feb. 17.
Attire for the dances will be coats and ties for the boys (or suits) and dress shoes (no tennis shoes) and dressy dresses and dress shoes for the girls. Some dances will be costume or casual depending on the theme. All students need to wear comfortable shoes for dancing.
Limited scholarships are available and those wishing to apply should call Reynolds or Fort at the above telephone numbers. Amber Michael, owner of Bravo Studio, and her staff will provide dance instruction.