Jon D. Williams Cotillions

JDWC - Jon D. Williams Cotillions®

The JDW Cotillion program teaches elementary through high school students courtesy and consideration through the art of social dance. Students learn essential social skills, such as how to introduce themselves to adults and peers, table manners and etiquette, as well as how to treat each other with respect. Jon D. Williams Cotillions® offers a uniquely extensive educational program for children in over 50 cities across the United States.

SEE - Survival Etiquette Essentials®

Survival Etiquette Essentials® offers customized social skills programs designed for students from elementary school through high school. The education and structure of the program is specifically and uniquely tailored for schools, organizations, groups, families or individuals. The purpose of SEE is to provide students the opportunity to develop life skills that go beyond academics into areas of character, leadership, sense and civility. SEE challenges students to recognize that social skills build character and are essential in developing positive, successful relationships – "wherever they go, whatever they do, whoever they meet" (Jon D. Williams III).

ESP - Executive Social Presentation®

Executive Social Presentation® was created to instruct individuals on how to effectively excel and succeed in business and personal relationships. Social skills represent an essential part of a person's education and play an instrumental role in establishing and nurturing relationships — which is the foundation for achieving success. Comprehensive programs combine instruction on social conduct and professional skills with the art of corporate etiquette. ESP®'s cadre of courses includes The Business of Courtesy, The Art of Effective Communication, Developing Successful Relationships, Customer & Employee Relations, Appearance & Dress, Interview Skills, Dining Etiquette & Entertaining, and Diversity Awareness & Cultural Competence.

NCSE - National Center for Social Education®

The National Center for Social Education® offers certification in social skills education to entrepreneurs and others who wish to offer this type of training to others. NCSE® has instructed individuals who wish to become consultants and instruct social skills education classes. School teachers have benefited who wish to instruct classes in social skills education in schools, for after-school extracurricular activities, or on a private individual or group consulting basis. Corporate training from NCSE® is extremely valuable for businesses that wish to instruct social skills education internally for the benefit of other employees, or for the benefit of customer relations and sales.

JDWC® Redefining Cotillion for the 21st Century

Over the last 65 years Jon D. Williams Cotillions® has redefined the term cotillion by rendering the traditional 'formal ball' to be applicable in the 21st century. In a world where kindness and civility are often overlooked it is the increasingly important responsibility of cotillion to be the forum where young people interact with one another. Jon D. Williams Cotillions® has effectively redefined cotillion "as a group of young people assembled to develop, appreciate and respect their role in society through social skills and dance education" (Jon D. Williams III).

JDWSEP® and the United States Air Force Academy

Jon D. Williams Social Education Programs® are responsible for establishing a program for the cadets of the United States Air Force Academy, a program originally established in 1955 by Jon and Vivian Williams. Classes are currently hosted onsite for over 1,000 cadets a year at the United States Air Force Academy by a full-time resident who provides curriculum critical to a service members understanding that how they act is a direct reflection of the United States at home and abroad.

Company History

JDWSEP® has a rich history behind its over 65 years in the field of social skills and dance education. The company’s founders, Jon and Vivian Williams, met in 1932. Jon Williams left medical school for the opportunity to study dance with Arthur Murray where he was advised to begin working with a talented blonde debutante named Vivian. Thus began the illustrious career of Jon and Vivian Williams as the number one national instructional team of Arthur Murray. Soon the perfect dance partners became partners in life and were married. After World War II, Jon was contacted by Fred Astaire and offered the position of setting up Fred Astaire Studios across the country. In 1949, now having a family and ready to settle down, the Williams decided to leave Astaire and establish their home and a new business in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thus was born the first Jon D. Williams Cotillion® at the world-famous Broadmoor Hotel. JDW Social Education Programs® have established and incomparable reputation across the nation, with Jon D. Williams III, son of the founder and president of the organization, now leading the next generation.

Famous Quotations

“How you act is not only a reflection of your character; it is also a demonstration of your education” – Jon D. Williams III

“Wherever you go, whatever you do, whoever you meet, social skills are essential for success” – Jon D. Williams III

Charitable Contributions

Jon D. Williams Cotillions donates over $100,000 annually in scholarship programs and community organizations to benefit cities where JDWC Signatory Cotillions® are hosted. Each of the six full-time instructors offer pro-bono programs for at risk children and contribute time to related charities.

Jon D. Williams Social Education Programs in the Media

JDWSEP® has been a feature on numerous television, print and radio media sources. An abbreviated list includes; CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood, ABC World Weekend News, WB2 News, FOX 31 News, The Denver Post, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Greely Tribune, The Evergreen Canyon Courier, Kerrville Daily Times, 710 AM KNUS, 710 AM KURV, 100.3 FM KIMN,102.3 FM Spirit, 560 AM KLZ – Mom’s the Word.