Dances for the Quinceanera show up in venues as varied as intimate private residences, family estates, country clubs, church halls, hotels and restaurants. Above: Alex and her court show off their "Phantom of the Opera" theme with a masked ending in her beautiful backyard. All photos by: Lisa Renee Photography Inc.

Usually three dances are needed for the Quinceanera celebration: the Group Waltz, the Father/Daughter Dance and the Group “Fun” Dance. Start the dance instruction early -- nine months to a year in advance is a good rule of thumb.

GROUP WALTZ
This is the dance that most young ladies having a Quinceanera are the most concerned about. Choosing a song can be fun since you’ll want to keep in mind the theme of your Quinceanera and also the number of dancers in the group and their abilities.

Group Waltzes usually have between eight and twenty dancers although the most common number is twenty dancers; ten gentlemen and ten ladies. This dance presents best if all the dancers involved attend at least 4-8 hours of instruction in an appropriate hall or dance studio location with proper sound capabilities.

Since this is really the big showcase dance most of the time and effort of the dancers is put into this dance. Costumes should allow for movement both forwards and back and arms should be able to be lifted above the head. Headpieces should be secured firmly and ladies shoe heels should be low enough to accommodate the speed of the waltz being used.

A combination of ballroom dancing waltz and foxtrot moves, American civil war and contra dancing steps and renaissance dancing figures showcase the dancers effectively in formations and elegant couples’ displays. Usually this dance is between 3-6 minutes and incorporates a feeling of being showcased for the young lady celebrating her Quinceanera.

Sample songs include:
• Sleeping Beauty Waltz
• Cinderella Waltz
• Blue Danube
• Tales From The Vienna Woods
• Voices Of Spring
• Wine, Women, Song
• Artist’s Life
• Weiner Blut
• Princess Waltz
• Emperor’s Waltz

FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE
In this dance the young lady and her father dance a waltz choreographed to their special song.

Songs such as the ones listed below are quite popular right now:
• Sunrise Sunset from Fiddler On The Roof Soundtrack
• Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
• Run for the Roses by Dan Fogelberg
• Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart
• What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
• Unforgettable by Natalie/Nat King Cole
• Hero by Mariah Carey
• Lullaby by The Cure
• Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
• My Father's Eyes by Amy Grant
• Thank Heaven for Little Girls from Gigi Soundtrack
• Teach Your Children Well by Crosby, Stills, Nash
• Through The Years by Kenny Rogers
• You're My Hero by Teresa James
• My Girl by The Temptations
• Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

Most Father/Daughter dances take approximately 3 - 4 hours of rehearsal, depending on the complexity of the dance and song and the ability of the dancers. They can incorporate sweet entrances with cuddles, twirls and send-outs, 3-7 dance steps; both stationary and traveling on the floor, and a dip or twirl to lean with bow and curtsey for the end.

“FUN” GROUP DANCE
This dance can be a sassy salsa or combination of Latin dances like merengue, rumba, and cha cha, or an up-beat swing or even a group tango in historical costuming with props. Many young ladies choose to have this dance highly choreographed while others want the dance to feel improvised and want to just “learn the moves” so they can get out and dance! Again, the music will dictate the type of dancing and don’t forget the more rehearsal, the better the performance!

Whatever your Quinceanera celebration dancing needs, make it a fun and exciting experience for all involved both on and off the dance floor. Good song choices, enough rehearsal, practical choice of costumes and props and a doable time frame will help make your dancing dreams come true with beauty, elegance and excitement.

Additional Resources: My 15th Birthday, What is a Quinceanera, Quinceanera Boutique, Quinceanera Gifts, Quinceanera Gowns, History of a Quinceanera and Quinceanera Music.

Email today or call Jillian at 949.400.7347 to talk about your Quinceanera.