"Where Confidence and Manners Matter"
Voted #1 “Best Youth Dance Instruction” by Richmond Magazine THREE years in a row!
Junior Assembly Cotillion's 80th Holly Balls
The 80th Holly Balls for Junior Assembly Cotillion (JAC) were held this past weekend, December 6-8, 2024 at The Woman’s Club, 211 East Franklin Street. Parents attended to enjoy the festivities and to dance with their son or daughter. JAC students earned money to help those in need in our community. A total of $6,352 was donated by the students and families of Junior Assembly Cotillion to three of our local Christmas Mother funds in Richmond, Hanover and Henrico. Dr. Lydia Johnson, Richmond’s 2024 Christmas Mother, attended all three dances on Friday evening and shared with the students how their generosity and giving hearts of contributing $2,040 to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund at such a young age means so much to so many in need in our community during this holiday season. Owner and Director Liz Stanko is passionate about having Junior Assembly Cotillion serve as a bright spot in students’ lives. Participants are led by their highly qualified and well-respected dance instructor for over forty years, Greg Thorp. Music for the Holly Balls was provided by the talented Gray McCalley Quartet.
Junior Assembly Cotillion Voted "Best Youth Dance Instruction" Three Years Straight!
JAC was voted "Best Youth Dance Instruction" for third year in a row and runner-up "Best Dance Event or Series" for 2024 by Richmond magazine. Though the Junior Assembly was founded in the 1920s, owner Liz Stanko works to incorporate modern mannerisms and dance. She says she understands how much people want to interact with each other, which helps cotillion grow. "When we listen to [students], it actually helps us continually improve our program," Stanko says.
Junior Assembly Cotillion celebrates their 80th year
[Cotillion] is a southern tradition that has managed to endure through the years despite the decline in formal dancing in modern society. Having adapted with the times, Junior Assembly Cotillion has managed to combine the grandeur of the old days with the fun and excitement of the present. For 80 years now, Junior Assembly Cotillion has been teaching manners, socialization and dancing to sixth through ninth graders of the Richmond area. In a time where technology is rarely beyond arm's reach, it is a pleasant change of pace for children to learn how to interact appropriately with members of the opposite gender in a more formal manner. - River Road Living magazine (June 2024 issue)
The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same.
As a mother of college-age children, [Stanko] realizes life is changing, and Cotillion must change, too. "Our goal is to help children come out of their social shells," she says. "And, a lot of times, we learn from them." ..."You never know what these kids come to Cotillion with," she says as the lights overhead dim. "This could be the bright spot in their week, and we want to be that safe, fun space for them." -Virginia Living magazine (December 2023 issue)
Junior Assembly Cotillion Celebrates 70 Years
Social graces—and the confidence that comes with them—are instilled in hundreds of Richmond-area 6th through 9th graders each weekend during the season of the Junior Assembly Cotillion, the oldest organization of its kind in the state, where children gather to learn dancing, etiquette and more. The cotillion will wrap its 70th season this year, culminating in the annual Cupid’s Ball Feb. 8.
Junior Assembly Cotillion Voted "Best Youth Dance Instruction" for Second Year in a Row!
Teaching kids how to dance is part of the mission of the Junior Assembly Cotillion, but it's far from the only desired outcome. "Our goal is to build social self-confidence and self-esteem," says owner Liz Stanko. "We offer a safe, technology-free place to interact with each other." The Cotillion is celebrating its 79th season, but the program traces its origins back 104 years to The Junior German.
Modern Dance..the cotillion tradition evolves in step with the times.
Liz Stanko and Alfreda Beach have a deep family history with the Junior Assembly Cotillion, where Stanko is owner and the two share the director role. Founded in the 1920s, it’s considered the longest-running cotillion in Virginia. While fostering many traditions of their parents’ and grandparents’ time in cotillion, they’re ensuring the that organization is inclusive and relevant. Today, Junior Assembly Cotillion represents children from around 50 schools across metro Richmond. “So much is timeless, and yet so much has changed,” Stanko says. “Sure, kids need to know how properly to introduce themselves, write a handwritten note and address an envelope, but there’s a lot more involved.”
Junior Assembly Cotillion voted "Best Youth Dance Instruction"
Junior Assembly Cotillion has shaped the lives of Richmond's tweens and teens for more than 78 years, teaching social dancing skills and etiquette. The cotillion is the largest and oldest in Virginia and continues to evolve. "For the first time this year we added an etiquette dinner for our students," says owner Liz Stanko, who has a passion for helping students through their formative years. "They are learning important tools that will carry them into adulthood."
Freeman students teach ballroom dancing
Although enrollment in the program decreased following the outbreak of the coronavirus, many students still participate in cotillion. Enforcing new health regulations and safety restrictions to keep the students safe is no easy task. New measures to keep cotillion members safe during the global pandemic include mandatory masks, social distancing during dances, sanitizing hands upon entry and exit, and changing the dance curriculum itself. Junior assistants are crucial to the implementation of these safety restrictions.
Dancing the Night Away - Cotillion Style
Cotillion teaches middle schoolers the social arts. With constant focus on technology and a fear of missing out among this young generation, we at JAC are doing everything we can to help our students escape the social, emotional, and technological pressures that are so apparent these days by bringing them one-on-one with each other and teaching them social graces.
Junior Assembly Cotillion 73rd Holly Ball Dances
The 73rd Holly Balls for Junior Assembly Cotillion were held Dec. 1-3, 2017, at The Woman's Club. Mothers and fathers attended to enjoy the festivities and dance with their son or daughter.
Junior Assembly Cotillion featured on BBC Program
Junior Assembly Cotillion was featured on BBC’s history/travel documentary series called “Great American Railroad Journeys” in February 2016. Host and former politician Michael Portillo uses 1879 Appleton’s guide book as his catalyst to explore the country today and discover more about its 19th and 20th century past. We were thrilled that Boundless Productions invited us to be included in his adventures. JAC is featured at the end of the program – 28:43 to 32:18.
Junior Assembly Cotillion Celebrates 70 Years
Liz Williams and Katherine Byer, the Co-Founders of Junior Assembly Cotillion, are excited to celebrate JAC’s 70th Year. Junior Assembly Cotillion offers a fun, social, and safe community where sixth through ninth graders can learn how to handle themselves in social situations.
Junior Assembly Cotillion Celebrates 70 Years
The Junior Assembly Cotillion, founded in 1920, is in its 70th season of teaching Richmond-area youth how to dance everything from the jitterbug to the tango with grace and etiquette.