JDW Social Education Programs are designed to create a sense of confidence, character and leadership in every student through dance and social education.

No, JDWC is a social education program that uses dance as a tool to teach social and character skills not normally covered in school. Through the education students learn to be comfortable with themselves and others, communicate better, and develop respect and self-confidence with the opposite sex. The training develops positive, healthy habits that offer long-term advantages and opportunities in developing relationships.  The Cotillion is not about “punch and cookies.”

All JDW Directors are college graduates. Instructors go through a rigorous training process before they begin instructing classes solo. Each member of the current JDW staff was trained by JDW Sr., the founder of JDW Cotillions. Instructors not only teach at the elementary and middle school levels, they also work with students in high school, college and executives in corporate America.

JDWC frequently consults with psychologists concerning our program development. They have told us that children start learning social skills at birth and continue throughout their lives. For cotillion they agree – the earlier the better, because children need good social skills in order to succeed in any relationship. Based on their recommendations, classes in some of our communities begin in the third grade; others begin in the fourth grade. At this age inhibitions with the opposite sex are replaced by respect, consideration and confidence. “Cotillion is a healthy, structured environment where students learn good habits on how to be respectful and considerate of one another. “ That being said, it’s never too early to get your child involved in cotillion.

Yes, they will remember most of what they learn in class. Of course, parents should continue to reinforce these social skills.

Most children participate during those awkward years of growth when girls are taller than boys, voices are changing for the boys, feet seem bigger than their bodies. Cotillion will impress even the most reluctant as students unexpectedly begin to have fun doing something they didn’t think they would – dancing.

Our cotillion programs are based on teaching courtesy and respect, and that includes appropriate ways to interact with the opposite sex. Through dance and etiquette instruction, we provide safe situations where members of the opposite gender can interact, thereby increasing comfort and self-confidence.

Academic teachers have very little class time available to talk about respect, courtesy and consideration, topics that are just as important as any academic subject these young people will ever take. Cotillion provides the appropriate venue to instruct students in these areas. Further Cotillion teaches students how to introduce themselves appropriately, the importance of dress and appearance, as well as the basics in table manners and etiquette. In truth, students without this knowledge may lack the confidence to succeed when it comes to the real world. Cotillion ensures your child will have the tools they need to feel confident in any situation.

The SEE - Survival Etiquette Essentials course is designed to work with students on skills specifically advantageous for high school and college. These subjects include: First Impressions, Interview Preparation, Volunteerism, Character & Ethics, Dining Etiquette & Hospitality, and many more. SEE students receive a certificate of completion that can be added to a resume for future collegiate and/or job applications.

Social dancing is a wonderful way for the students to break down inhibitions about the opposite gender and feel confident in a fun and safe environment. Social dancing allows the students to work as a team as they learn the basics in rhythm and footwork.

No, JDW has developed a comprehensive program that is continually updated from year-to-year, with an emphasis on working with students based on their experience, individual development, ability and progress. Over 82% of our students wish to participate from year-to-year.

Each level of Cotillion is specifically designed for that given age group. All of the activities and dances are progressive from year-to-year. The youngest students in 3rd - 5th grades will focus more on the basic steps in the Foxtrot and Swing Hustle, while the students in 6th - 8th grades will learn more complicated dances like the Tango and Jitterbug with the corresponding variations. In addition, the social education in the younger grades will focus primarily on making first impressions and common courtesies where the older students will delve into topics like Volunteerism and Character & Ethics for their core curriculum.

Requiring girls to wear gloves in Cotillion is not based on any kind social requirement, propriety, or fashion statement. Rather the purpose of wearing gloves is to make our students feel more comfortable in holding hands and dancing with one another. Over the years it has been our experience, and the experience of our students, thatgloves release tensions and make the dancing process a more physically uninhibited and pleasurable experience. In addition, gloves help deter the spread of illness.  Our older students are not required to wear gloves.

We emphasize to our students that it is their responsibility to take the initiative to introduce themselves to other students and their chaperones without the artificial aid of name tags.

In a typical situation, when meeting new people, they will not have name tags on for reference. Accordingly, we believe that young people should learn and practice introductions based on a typical or natural situation.

You will hear many different opinions (sometimes adamant) on this subject. Our position is that young people should at least know how to curtsey or bow, determine to do so or not, based on their own personal comfort level.

From third through fifth grades, we teach an informal, very slight curtsey to the girls and a slight bow to the boys in addition to the always mandatory handshake. We tell them that a curtsey and a bow is a form of acknowledgment, a courtesy, and a gesture of respect. From the sixth grade forward, we teach the girls and boys only the slight bow.

We also tell our students to use their own judgment in regard to the appropriate situation where they may choose to curtsey or bow, i.e. when they meet adults or older people. In addition we tell them that it could be perceived as somewhat antiquated, unrealistic, not too cool, and could lead to a potentially embarrassing situation (possibly even hazardous to their health) if practiced when meeting new friends in school.

Absolutely! Over the years JDW has worked with countless children with physical or learning challenges, which has been rewarding for the instructors as well as for our students.  Having challenged students participate in cotillion is a rewarding experience for our students, as well as for the instructors. We request that parents contact us in advance of the classes to discuss any special requirements. In addition, we encourage one of the parents come with their child for the first one or two classes to make sure that their child’s cotillion experience is productive and enjoyable. 

Yes. Cotillion is not an official Olympic sport however, we tell our students, that dancing is not only a form of art, an entertainment, a humanity, and an inherent part of our culture – it is also a sport that involves coordination, athletic ability and teamwork.

In addition to the end-of-season party where parents will be invited to dance and participate in the program with their children, we encourage parents to observe one or more of the classes.

Contrary to popular belief, quite often, having good manners can have a contagious effect and influence others. Having good manners and being able to properly present one‘s self is no longer a luxury, but a necessity in today's increasingly competitive society. It enables individuals to feel comfortable with themselves and others, to communicate better, and to prepare for developing positive relationships in school, in college, and in their future careers.

The physical interaction that is associated with partner dancing provides a unique opportunity to develop teamwork and cooperation skills.  Free form dancing, on the other hand, is a unique expression of personal style which cannot be taught.  We encourage students to use both partner and freeform dancing for their enjoyment. 

We enjoy seeing younger brothers and sisters of our students at the Cotillion classes, however, we would appreciate that younger siblings (future Cotillion members) be supervised by the parents if they attend. It is the objective of the instructors to focus all of their attention on the students that are registered in the class, and have our students focus all of their attention on their respective partners and instructors. It is a tradition at our final parties that younger siblings who attend participate in refreshments and a dance or two.

If you have a complaint or a question, please refer it to one of the instructors, your chairperson, or call our office at 303/757-5333 to report the incident.

The reason that we do not have students of the same sex dance together is because we teach the social skill of cutting in. This mixes up the dance floor and allows students to have more than one partner. It is an equal opportunity world; when there are extra boys they are instructed to cut in, and when there are extra girls they are similarly instructed. Changing partners throughout the class is one of our priorities.

Our committees do their very best to have an equal number of girls and boys.  When there are extra girls or boys (believe it or not it happens more frequently than you would think), they are taught how to politely "cut in."  In addition, we frequently have "Ladies Choice" where the girls ask the boys to dance, regardless of the boy/girl ratio.

Painstakingly!  JDWC uses music from the 1920s through the new millennium, including classics and the latest TOP 100. We review every selection and choose music based on (1) appropriate lyrics, (2) rhythm, i.e. ability to translate into the specific dances and footwork, (3) different styles to cultivate music appreciation, and (4) popularity based on national sales. We do our best to find appropriate selections that our students will identify with from traditional to contemporary artists.

In all Cotillion invitations it specifically states that there are no refunds with the exception of extraordinary circumstances, in fairness to the students who are placed on waiting lists.

In the rare occasion that occurs, we enter into a contract with the student, pointing out the behavioral problems. If this does not appeal to their better judgment, we then contact the parents. Behavioral problems are very rare in the cotillion classes.

We are very proud of this program! Our student instructors receive compensation and letters of recommendation – which they use for college and career. If your son or daughter would like to become a student instructor, have them apply online to Annabel Day at annabel@cotillion.com. Make sure they tell us what grade they are in, how long they have participated in cotillion, and why they want to be a student instructor.