About Us

Teaching Skills That Last a Lifetime

Founded in 1981, the award-winning Carolina Junior Cotillions program has provided dancing and social skills instruction in a fun, dynamic environment. Collectively our team of professionals below combines over 85 years of service to the children of Goldsboro and surrounding areas. Our team is dedicated to offer a well-planned experience, creating lasting memories. As long as the world needs socially-skilled, well-mannered and poised leaders, our team will be here to teach them. We truly love and enjoy what we do!

Ann B. Cherry

Ann Cherry is the founder of Carolina Junior Cotillions- Goldsboro Chapter. Her career in dance began long before CJC. As a child, Ann studied classical ballet, and later minored in dance from East Carolina University. Pursuing her dream to share her love of dance with others, Mrs. Cherry founded Carolina Junior Cotillions in 1981. Her Cotillion program began in Kinston and soon expanded to serve Goldsboro, Wilson, Greenville, and Wilmington. Mrs. Cherry currently offers Cotillion for students in the 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th grades in Kinston.   Mrs. Cherry continues to study with professional dance instructors.  In 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Cherry attended the Brigham Young University’s acclaimed Adult Ballroom Dance Camp.

In 1995, Mrs. Cherry attended the Protocol School of Washington^®, where she was certified as an Etiquette instructor, specializing in basic dining skills to children, teens, and adults.  Later she spun off a new segment of her business to create Carolina Protocol.  These programs are custom-designed classes held across North Carolina that share how important these skills are, as well as how important it is to treat others with respect and dignity.

Felicia S. Pressly

Felicia Pressly joined the Carolina Junior Cotillions team at the beginning of the 2006-2007 Cotillion Season.  After training with Mrs. Cherry for more than ten years to learn the Cotillion business, Mrs. Pressly assumed ownership of the Goldsboro Chapter of Carolina Junior Cotillions in the summer of 2018.  She continues to partner with Mrs. Cherry in business administration to continue the 30-year legacy established for the children of Wayne County.

Mrs. Pressly worked as a Cotillion Marshal in high school after moving to Kinston from Charleston, S.C. where she danced for sixteen years.  As a young girl, Mrs. Pressly’s mother encouraged her to “Dance as if no one is watching”; and after participating in Cotillion herself, Mrs. Pressly added to her mother’s advice—“But prepare as if the world is your audience!”

Mrs. Pressly has partnered with Mrs. Cherry and the Carolina Junior Cotillions team to transform many shy, self-conscious children into confident, mannered teenagers.  Mrs. Pressly provides a fun and safe environment where boys and girls learn to navigate social and dance situations with courtesy and respect in order to build their confidence and self-esteem.

Mrs. Pressly graduated from East Carolina University (Greenville, N.C.) with a degree in Child Life.  She is married to Kinston native Jim Pressly, and they recently moved to Carteret County to be near family. They have three children, Britney married to Robbie Beeker; Justin married to Jessica Hardin; and East Carolina University graduate Tyson.  They also have three granddaughters, Farrah, Chandler and Collins. Mrs. Pressly, her husband, and daughter-in-law all participate in the implementation of the Goldsboro Cotillion program.  Mr. & Mrs. Pressly enjoy social dancing, and pride themselves in passing their love of dance to their children.

Jessica L. Pressly

Jessica Pressly joined the Carolina Junior Cotillions family in the 2013-2014 Cotillion Season.  Mrs. Pressly provides dance instruction for Cotillion students and coordinates the Cotillion Marshals volunteer program.  As a life-long dancer, Mrs. Pressly spent most weekends in dance competitions and recitals.  During her time in the dance studio, Mrs. Pressly mastered the technique, poise, and confidence needed to be a successful dancer.  More importantly, she (now) realizes her dance training played an integral role in building important character skills such as dignity, respect, and teamwork.  Mrs. Pressly looks forward to developing and instilling these characteristics in her Cotillion students, while also teaching them how to let loose and have fun!

Mrs. Pressly is married to Kinston native and Cotillion “graduate” Justin Pressly, and they live in Morehead City with their daughters, Chandler and Collins.  Mr. and Mrs. Pressly can be found most nights dancing about their house with their girls, Chandler and Collins, as they seem to have acquired their love of music and dance as well!

Parent Committee- Goldsboro Chapter

Each year there are a group of parents from surrounding schools that agree to serve on our Parent Committee for Cotillion.   They reach out into the community and communicate the values of the Cotillion experience, with the goal of recruiting students to enroll.

Carolina Junior Cotillions prides itself if offering their programs to any and all interested students. No one is ever turned away due to extenuating circumstances or finances.

Additionally, some of our current Parent Committee members were previous students of our program.  Such fun to watch another generation continue the legacy of Carolina Junior Cotillions!

2023-2024 Parent Committee

Past Parent Committee Members with Children Enrolled