"Where Confidence and Manners Matter"
Voted #1 “Best Youth Dance Instruction” and “Best Dance Event or Series” by Richmond magazine
Junior Assembly Cotillion is a Richmond-based, woman-owned, family business and has operated continuously for over 81 years.
Meet The Owner: Liz Stanko
Like her predecessors, current owner Mrs. Liz Stanko is focused on ensuring that Junior Assembly Cotillion provides the best experience possible for their students and families.
Just as her parents and sisters did, Liz attended Junior Assembly Cotillion from sixth through ninth grades and worked as a Junior Assistant through her high school years. She graduated from Douglas Freeman High School and the University of Virginia.
Stanko’s career in Special Events took her to both Atlanta and Richmond where she worked for Goldman Sachs, SunTrust Bank and RiverFront Investment Group. Liz is an active member of her church where she has served in various leadership roles and on committees, and is currently part of the Care Team. She’s a proud mom to her adult children – a son and daughter who are both Virginia Tech alumnae and share her love for dancing, family, cooking and college sports. After seventeen years as a single mom, Liz got remarried to a wonderful man who was worth the wait. Bon Appetit, Wahoowa and Go Hokies!
Meet Our Dance Instructor: Greg Thorp
Greg Thorp is a Junior Assembly Cotillion institution all on his own. He attended Junior Assembly Cotillion as a student for four years and also served as a Junior Assistant. We’re proud that he’s served as our Dance Instructor for more than 36 years. He recently celebrated 53 years with JAC from the time he started as a 6th grade student. Impressive! Greg is a skilled electrician by day and our beloved Dance Instructor by night. Dancing has always been near and dear to his heart. He’s married with two adult sons, so he knows his audience well!
Meet The Directors: Liz Stanko and Caroline Willhite
Liz Stanko and Caroline Willhite direct the dances each season. Like Liz, Caroline was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia and took part in Junior Assembly Cotillion from sixth through ninth grade and then became a junior assistant. She attended James Madison University for her undergrad and University of Virginia for her Masters’ in Speech Pathology. Caroline works for a public elementary school in Chesterfield county and spends most of her time with elementary-aged children. Caroline loves dancing, yet when she is not at cotillion she loves finding new books to read, playing with her dog, and spending time with her fiancé, friends and family.
Liz Stanko
Greg Thorp
Caroline Willhite & Liz Stanko
“You have been responsive and kind at every step.
To be honest, you have made this rite of passage
feel not only personally important to you but also
communicating to your students that they are in the
very best care. As a parent of a new student, I am
grateful for you and for the better mannered
person my child will become.”
~Peggy Finck
“My husband and I are in our early forties now, but our journey with Cotillion began when we were teenagers. We were lucky enough to have the legendary Greg Thorp as our teacher—someone we were delighted to learn is still teaching today. I remember clearly that, at first, neither of us was thrilled about Cotillion. Dressing up, dancing, and formal etiquette didn’t sound appealing when our parents first introduced the idea. But as the weeks went on, something began to change. What started as a reluctant commitment quickly grew into something transformative. Cotillion quietly instilled lessons that we didn’t even realize we were learning at the time—grace, confidence, respect, and the ability to carry ourselves in any setting. Those lessons became the foundation for so many things later in life: college interviews, academic success, professional achievements, and the way we engage with others in our community. Back then, there were no phones, no social media, and no constant distractions. The lessons we learned came from face-to-face connection—looking someone in the eye, shaking hands, saying ‘thank you.’ Today, that kind of interaction feels more important than ever. That’s why we are overjoyed that both of our sons, soon to be in middle school, will now have the same opportunity to experience Cotillion. It’s not just about continuing a family tradition—it’s about giving them the same foundation that shaped who we are today. We know they will gain not only the skills of etiquette and social grace, but also the deeper values of confidence, kindness, and respect that last a lifetime. For us, it’s not just nostalgia—it’s peace of mind. Knowing that our boys will learn and grow in the same ways we once did fills our hearts with joy. As we look back on our own memories, we can’t help but feel excited for the ones they’re about to create.
We truly believe that Cotillion is one of the most meaningful gifts a parent can give. It’s an experience that stays with you, shaping the way you see the world and the way the world sees you. And for that, we’ll always be grateful to Junior Assembly Cotillion for continuing this beautiful tradition across generations.”
~Kelly & Michael B.