Opera Guild

The Opera Omaha Guild is a group of men and women dedicated to supporting the Company with fundraising and opera education efforts. Members plan and promote events such as Cotillion (etiquette classes for area six graders), an Annual Gala, the Burgers & Bordeaux chef competition, and Spirits of the Opera wine event.

Cotillion Information Here

Opera Omaha Guild’s Cotillion

The Opera Omaha Guild will soon be sending invitations for the 2011 Opera Omaha Guild's Cotillion. 

For more information or to receive an invitation please send an email to cotillion2011@hotmail.com with the following information:

• Student Name
• School
• Parents Name
• Address
• Phone
• Cell Phone
• Email Address

Cotillion – a French word for formal ball – combines fundraising for Opera Omaha with lessons in social skills “disguised” as a dance class for sixth graders throughout Omaha.  A popular tradition through the 1960’s, Cotillion died out in the 1970’s.  The revived Cotillion began in 1983 and has been popular ever since.  This will be the 26th consecutive season for the Opera Omaha Cotillion.

The primary purpose of each Cotillion class is to provide the opportunity for each student to mature socially.  Students learn the art of dining in a formal setting, communicating, being a proper guest as well as a host/hostess, and ballroom dancing.  The emphasis will be on helping students learn how to meet new people and how to get along with others; the learning of dance steps is incidental.

Who: All children in the Omaha are who will be enrolled in the 6th grade for the 2011/2012 school year are invited to participate.

When: The Cotillion classes are held on six Sundays starting September 25 through October 30, 2011..
- The Graduation Dinner Dance is Friday, November 11, 2011.
- The Reunion Party will be held on February 19, 2012.

Where: Cotillion classes and dinners are held at the Omaha Marriott in Regency. The Graduation Dinner Dance is held at the Qwest Center Omaha.

When: The Cotillion classes are held at 3:15 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:45 pm, or 7:00 pm.  The dinner classes are held at 4:30 pm or 5:45 pm.  Students are required to attend only one dinner class.  (More classes may be added depending on enrollment.)

Cost: $210 per child (a portion will be tax deductible).  This includes the 6 classes, one dinner class and the Graduation Dinner Dance.  Parents who join their child for the Graduation Dinner Dance will be charged $65 per person.  The optional Reunion Party in February is an additional fee of $35 per child.  Payment information included with formal invitations mailed in August.

Attire: Girls wear school dresses or skirts and dress shoes (no tennis shoes or sandals and no high heels over two inches).  Boys wear long sleeved dress shirts, slacks and socks.  Cords are fine.  No sweat pants or sweat shirts.  No tennis, athletic or sandal type shoes are allowed.  Crepe-soled shoes (topsiders) are acceptable.  Graduation Dinner Dance attire consists of party dresses for the girls and coats and ties for the boys.

Sponsor: The Opera Omaha Guild sponsors Cotillion.  This is a benefit for Opera Omaha and each Cotillion student’s name will appear in the season program

History of Cotillion
In 1985, the first Cotillion classes of dance and etiquette began for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.  As these classes grew, the format was changed to include only 6th graders.  In ensuing years this activity has become a prime source of dancing, social graces, and fun for the young people.  Throughout the 23 years of Cotillion classes, this program has grown from a beginning number of 120 students to over 300 in 2008.   Many recent students are second generation attendees – their parents being some of the earlier graduates.  Cotillion Reunion was introduced three years ago as way for former alumnae to re-connect and celebrate with friends.