Gillian (far left), Maura (second from right) and Anna (third from left) at the 1996 Snowball
About Us
The Virginia Cotillion is run by Anna Alberson, Maura Burchette, and Gillian Rice Maupin. All three sponsors are native Alexandrians, alumna of St. Mary’s School in Old Town, and former students of The Virginia Cotillion (class of 1996). Anna’s mother, Amy Alberson, was one of the founding members of the Virginia Cotillion, along with Perry Guy and Lynn Hooff. After running The Virginia Cotillion for over 25 years, the founders wanted to hand the business off to the next generation of hosts to update and modernize the program, while also maintaining the tradition and reputation the Virginia Cotillion has earned over the years.
About Cotillion
Cotillion offers ballroom and contemporary dance instruction, as well as instruction on manners and etiquette for children, and makes social dancing accessible and exciting for students in grades 4-7. Cotillion meets a total of six times and during each class, our dance instructor will teach students the fundamentals of dance. Classes focus on traditional favorites such as the swing, waltz, foxtrot, pretzel, salsa, chacha and shag, as well as popular line and current dances. Each class also incorporates basic social etiquette.
Our Goal
We loved doing Cotillion, and as the new sponsors, we want today’s students to have the same great experience. We strongly believe that learning the art of social dancing has served us well throughout our lives and we believe that it can do the same for your children. We would love for your son or daughter to join us for the 2018/2019 season. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there are any questions that we can answer about our program – and please spread the word to friends!
The Virginia Cotillion is run by Anna Alberson, Maura Burchette, and Gillian Rice Maupin. All three sponsors are native Alexandrians, alumna of St. Mary’s School in Old Town, and former students of The Virginia Cotillion (class of 1996). Anna’s mother, Amy Alberson, was one of the founding members of the Virginia Cotillion, along with Perry Guy and Lynn Hooff. After running The Virginia Cotillion for over 25 years, the founders wanted to hand the business off to the next generation of hosts to update and modernize the program, while also maintaining the tradition and reputation the Virginia Cotillion has earned over the years.
About Cotillion
Cotillion offers ballroom and contemporary dance instruction, as well as instruction on manners and etiquette for children, and makes social dancing accessible and exciting for students in grades 4-7. Cotillion meets a total of six times and during each class, our dance instructor will teach students the fundamentals of dance. Classes focus on traditional favorites such as the swing, waltz, foxtrot, pretzel, salsa, chacha and shag, as well as popular line and current dances. Each class also incorporates basic social etiquette.
Our Goal
We loved doing Cotillion, and as the new sponsors, we want today’s students to have the same great experience. We strongly believe that learning the art of social dancing has served us well throughout our lives and we believe that it can do the same for your children. We would love for your son or daughter to join us for the 2018/2019 season. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there are any questions that we can answer about our program – and please spread the word to friends!
Penelope Norton
About Our Instructor
Penelope Norton has joined The Virginia Cotillion as our dance instructor for the 2018/2019 season. Ms. Norton is a local Virginian who is happy to call Alexandria home. Growing up in the Mount Vernon area, Ms. Norton studied ballet and tap for 12 years at The School for Little Swans under Grace Mechanic. Having attended Cotillion in the Mount Vernon area during junior high, she went on to assist in the ballroom dance portion throughout her high school career and returned to her Cotillion as the dance instructor just after graduating from James Madison University. When work took Ms. Norton to Guatemala, she loved learning the Salsa and Bachata and adding Latin flare to her repertoire of dances.
Ms. Norton currently manages The Shoe Hive in Old Town, Alexandria while pursuing her Masters degree at George Mason University in International Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She loves to travel in her free time.
Penelope Norton has joined The Virginia Cotillion as our dance instructor for the 2018/2019 season. Ms. Norton is a local Virginian who is happy to call Alexandria home. Growing up in the Mount Vernon area, Ms. Norton studied ballet and tap for 12 years at The School for Little Swans under Grace Mechanic. Having attended Cotillion in the Mount Vernon area during junior high, she went on to assist in the ballroom dance portion throughout her high school career and returned to her Cotillion as the dance instructor just after graduating from James Madison University. When work took Ms. Norton to Guatemala, she loved learning the Salsa and Bachata and adding Latin flare to her repertoire of dances.
Ms. Norton currently manages The Shoe Hive in Old Town, Alexandria while pursuing her Masters degree at George Mason University in International Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She loves to travel in her free time.