Dance Specialties is the premier dance instruction studio in Gaston County! For more than 40 years Dance Specialties has served the community by providing dance education. Superior training is the key to our success! We welcome dancers of all ages and abilities for both recreational and competitive goals. Our programs are designed to create long-lasting memories for both children and their families!

Dance Specialties offers various types of dance instruction that range from old-fashioned to contemporary. Dances include tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and tumbling. Each dance offers recreational and competitive levels so it is up to you to choose what you’re interested in! Each child is recognized and given personal attention for their individual talents, no matter the level of skill.

The studio is located in Belmont, North Carolina, a convenient location for locations all around Gaston County and Charlotte! With easy access from all major interstates, it is a no-brainer when choosing a studio based on location. Our dedication to the community is apparent in our history, and we proudly serve any family willing to get out and get dancing with us!

Starting at the age of 3, Dance Specialties welcomes newcomers any time! We have excellent preschool programs and will work with your child closely to teach the fundamentals of dance! Expert staff is assigned to our intimate class sizes so that your child will be able to have close instruction and develop a dancing family that will last! Each class offers an annual recital that will take place in the month of June, so find out more about this event and more if you want to see what are students are capable of!

Dance Specialties prides itself in their competitive offerings for the more serious dancers. All types of dance have a competitive program that allows our dancers to show off what they’ve learned! Teams compete in four regional dance competitions and one national competition each year, so there is an opportunity to train and perfect routines between each competition! Dance Specialties is proud of the success that their dancers have exhibited in the past, and they are confident in new dancers as they are trained by the expert staff!

Community activities are also taken advantage of by Dance Specialties. Local festivals and holiday events are a staple for Dance Specialties dancers! Our dancers often go onto higher levels on a collegiate and professional level, and we hope that you are willing to dedicate to becoming the best through our programs!

About
The National League of Junior Cotillions is a team of directors that aim to teach children the proper character and courtesy. It is their mission to teach the young cotillions to act in love, treat others with honor, respect and dignity which in turn produces better relationships within their family and friendships. As a part of the National League of Junior Cotillions, they will also learn and practice ballroom dance. We believe that manners will always matter and as we train in mannerly conduct, confidence, social dance, and overall character, children will grow and develop the skills of a lifetime. Our team at the National League of Junior Cotillions is one of true passion and they will truly care for your child and help them become of one the most successful in their graduating class.

History
The National League of Junior Cotillion started in 1979 by Anne Colvin Winters in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Anne Winters obtained a background in performing arts and she wanted nothing more than to teach etiquette to the children in her hometown. It was important to her that the children learned confidence, courtesy, and multiple other social skills needed for success. In 1981, Anne met Charles Anthony Winters and the two were married. Together, they established a thriving cotillion program. As their program continued to grow, she desired to combine social dancing, etiquette and life skills into one curriculum where children could come and feel comfortable and safe, while also being successful. This curriculum became the National League of Junior Cotillion that we know today. Over the next few years, Anne and Charles traveled the country in order to train directors to become a part of their program.

Anne’s legacy lives on today through her son, Charles Winters II, who heads the organization. The team is now made up of over 100 passionate directors worldwide and 300 cotillion chapters in over 30 states. The National League of Junior Cotillions will forever be built on the foundation left by Anne Winter, one of courtesy, faith, and respect.

Our Programs
The National League of Junior Cotillions has programs for children of all ages. The Pre-Cotillion Program is intended for children in first through fourth grade. The Junior Cotillion program is designed for fifth through eighth graders. The High School Cotillion Program combines ninth through twelfth grade and teaches tasks such as paying bills, registering to vote, submitting tax forms and more. After high school, our programs include the National League of Junior Cotillions Debutante and Corporate Cotillion.

The National League of Junior Cotillions is dedicated to helping children grow into a successful adult that obtains multiple life skills. To enroll your child, visit our website for more information. We love working with these bright, young adults and we look forward to meeting your child.