COTILLION    HISTORY

Since 1981, Cynthia Merrill has been the owner, director and teacher of the Fresno/Clovis Cotillion. The Cotillion program started for the benefit of her two sons, Cyrus and Than Merrill. They both attended the program from 5th grade through high school and grew tremendously in their social confidence, manners and ability to partner dance. Both boys were so pleased at how confident they were in high school and college, because they had developed such a comfort level socially.  They could both free style and ballroom dance and felt confident with both peers and adults in any social setting. Her sons felt that the Cotillion program was their most valuable after school program in preparing them for professional life and adulthood.  

The word Cotillion originally meant (in France in the 1800’s) a style of dance for a minimum of four couples. Then Cotillion progressed to mean a formal ball where upper class young ladies were presented to society. Eventually it became known as an exclusive party (by invitation only) where ballroom dance lessons and manners were given to children in high society. In Mrs. Merrill’s program today, the word Cotillion refers to a monthly party where ballroom dance lessons and manners are taught in a party environment. Membership is open to any child who wishes to register for the program. 

The Cynthia Merrill Cotillion is designed to teach children social confidence and respect for one another while learning to ballroom dance. Contemporary dance steps are now included in the curriculum along with manners for social occasions. Refreshments are served and mixer games are played. Children have a wonderful time at Cotillion, make friends from all over the valley and look forward to the monthly themed parties. 

I recommend a minimum of four years to really benefit from the Cotillion experience. It takes repetition for dance steps to be permanently remembered; it takes lots of experience socially to be comfortable with everyone you meet;   it takes years to learn the traditional manners and years to put into practice all you have learned. The end result is a happy, socially gracious child. What a gift to give your child. 

Junior and Senior High School is a very important age for children to continue in the Cotillion program. The more mature etiquette program prepares our youth for high school and college. More advanced dance steps are learned. The young people become excellent dancers. Keeping children in the program over a period of years does need parental encouragement. Teaching children to be leaders and think for themselves is part of our upper level program. 

I welcome you to the Cynthia Merrill Cotillion program.