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Dance 101: Quinceañeras

Home » Dance 101: Quinceañeras

What is a Quinceañera? The History, Traditions, Dances, and Facts.

The word Quinceañera is used in Mexico for a 15-year-old girl celebrating her birthday. A quinceañera is a celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday, although, for the most part, it is pronounced “Quinceañera,” derived from the Spanish words Quince and años, which means “fifteen years.”

In many Latin American regions, a girl’s fifteenth birthday is celebrated as a Quinceañera. It is also known as a fiesta de quince años, fiesta de Quinceañera, and quince. Quinceañera is derived from the Spanish words “quince,” which means “fifteen,” and “años,” which means “years.” Those who celebrate this important birthday mark the transition from childhood to womanhood.

The History of Quinceañera Celebrations

The Quinceañera’s origins can be traced back many centuries to rites of passage for girls. Girls were separated from other children at a certain age in order for women to teach them about their upcoming roles as family and community members.

During the official rites of passage, young women pledged to serve the community, and the community thanked the gods for their future wives and mothers.

Missionaries eventually transformed the rite of passage into a personal affirmation of faith, and the celebration became associated with the church.

How is a Quinceañera Celebrated?

Today, the Quinceañera celebration is often a lavish affair with many guests, similar to a wedding. Planning a Quinceañera can begin as early as childhood, and family and godparents will save money for the party until the girl reaches the age of consent. Preparation time can range from six months to two years. Dancing is a big part of the Quinceañera celebration!

One of the most popular Quinceañera dance traditions is the waltz, an elegantly choreographed dance performed by the birthday girl and her court. The Vals is the waltz routine and is usually performed at the beginning or middle of the reception. If this is also the first dance of the celebration, the quinceañera will take her father as her partner. In addition to the Father-Daughter Dance and “surprise dance,” celebrants and guests frequently dance to Salsa, Cumbia, Cha-Cha, Merengue, Bolero, and Rumba music.

How Many Dances Are in a Quinceanera?

Traditionally, most Quinces include these three (3) traditional bailes, or dances:  The Entrance Waltz (El Vals), a Surprise Dance (Baile de Sorpresa), and the Father/Mother-Daughter Dance (Baile de Mama/Papa).

These Quinceañera dances must be completely learned and prepared to be performed for guests. Time is also required for deciding on and preparing decorations, cakes, and dresses. These days, expos, websites, and magazines help Quinceañeras plan their birthday celebrations.

The father and daughter dance is still performed at the Quinceañera today. It is still one of the most emotional aspects of the Quinceañera celebration because it represents the birthday girl’s first dance as a young woman with her father. If the father is unavailable, an older man who has served as a father figure will usually dance.

The father and daughter dance is typically a waltz, and it’s an opportunity for the father to encourage his daughter as she takes her first steps into womanhood.

The Quinceañera’s chambelan (or the birthday girl’s escort) will approach the father after the father and daughter dance and ask permission to dance with the birthday girl. The family waltz usually comes after the father and daughter dance, and it consists of the Quinceañera’s immediate relatives and closest friends dancing a group waltz. The group waltz dance is typically performed by up to twenty dancers, ten boys (chambelanes), and ten girls (the Royal Court). The dancers will typically receive at least five to ten hours of professional  Quinceañera dance lessons before the party to be prepared and in sync on the day of the fiesta.

 

While optional, the “surprise” dance portion of the Quinceañera is often regarded as the most enjoyable part of the party planning for the birthday girl. A professional Quinceañera dance choreographer is usually hired to assist the birthday girl in creating a dance in which she will dance with her “damas” and “chambelanes.”  Usually, any trendy or fun dance song is welcome.

The chosen dance genre is diverse and extensive. Hip-hop, tango, Cha-cha, bachata, reggaeton, and other popular surprise dances include hip-hop, tango, Cha-cha, bachata, reggaeton, and others.

 

The surprise dance is an excellent way for the Quinceañera to personalize her party.

To present the surprise dance, the damas and chambelanes who dance with the birthday girl dress in coordinating outfits.

The birthday girl usually wears something that blends in with her group but is a little different to set her apart, making her the star of the show.

These costumes must allow for movement and accommodate the dance while also matching the dance’s personality. Another important aspect of the Quinceañera celebration is open floor dancing, in which guests are invited to freestyle dance.

Quinceañeras can now include DJs, dance shows, and even mariachis. In the United States, popular music for traditional dances is in Spanish or English.

The Quinceañera is one of the few Latin American celebrations that are universal. Second and third-generation Hispanic girls in the United States still practice the tradition.

Dance has always been and continues to be an important and distinguishing feature of this celebration.

 

Hire Los Angeles Quinceañera Dance Instructors Near You That You Can Trust

Dance Engagements is a nonprofit dance company that custom-choreographs professional, creative, entertaining, fun, and affordable dance routines for Quinceañeras and other special events. Our nationally-recognized dance instructors offer unique packages to help the Quinceañera and her court prepare for her special occasion.

Dance Engagements creates a specially choreographed piece to celebrate the occasion. After la Quinceañera gives us her thoughts and ideas, we take care of the rest. This is done in a fun and exciting way that creates lifelong memories.

 

Quinceañeras and Sweet 16’s are milestones and fun times in a young lady’s life. Dance Engagements can customize a routine to match her preferences and needs. Working with a single partner or a large group is our specialty. Let us help create an unforgettable dance routine for the special birthday girl or boy and their special friends. OUR MASTER CHOREOGRAPHERS HELP YOU WITH:

  • Entrance / Exit / Presentation
  • The layout of the venue
  • Selection of music
  • Creating choreography
  • Dance lessons can be scheduled at any time to fit your needs.
  • A selection of music
  • Two to three months of practice *Recommended
  • Daddy-Daughter Dances
  • Group Waltz  (Vals)
  • Surprise Dance
  • Chambelan Dances
  • The Mother-Son Dances
  • No limit on the number of court members
  • Music editing is included in all packages – a $199 value.

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Top 50 Quinceañera Dance Songs from the ’90s – 2000s

  1. “Shake it Off” Taylor Swift
  2. “Loose Control” Missy Elliot
  3. “Scream and Shout” Britney Spears
  4. “On the Floor” Jennifer Lopez
  5. “Sigueme y te sigo” Daddy Yankee
  6. “Bailando” Enrique Iglesias
  7. “Quincenera” Musica Telenovela 05
  8. “La Vaca” Mala Fe
  9. “El Baile del Beeper” Oro Solido
  10. “Píntame” Elvis Crespo
  11. “El Baile del Perrito” Wilfrido Vargas
  12. “La Duena del Swing” Los Hermaños Rosario
  13. “Oye Abre Tus Ojos” July Mateo Rasputín
  14. “No Me Digas Que No” La Makina
  15. “Mil Horas” La Sonora Dinamita
  16. “La Pollera Colora” Los Inmortales
  17. “Todo Me Gusta de Ti” Aaron y Su Grupo Ilusión
  18. “Tiene Espinas el Rosal” Grupo Canaveral
  19. “Vivir Mi Vida” Marc Anthony
  20. “Quimbara” Celia Cruz
  21. “Sopa de Caracol” Banda Blanca
  22. “1, 2, 3” Grupo Kazzabe
  23. “La Morenita” Oro Solido
  24. “Tu Guardian” Juanes
  25. “Cuando a Mi Lado Estas” Ricardo Montaner
  26. “Daughters” John Mayer
  27. “De Nina a Mujer” Julio Iglesias
  28. “Entre Tus Alas” Camila
  29. “Tu Sonrisa” Elvis Crespo
  30. “Se Me Perdio la Cadenita” La Sonora Dinimita
  31. “Guantanamera” Celia Cruz
  32. “Tu” Ricardo Arjona
  33. “Maria Se Fue” Oro Solido
  34. “Sauvemente” Elvis Crespo
  35. “Oye” La Sonora Dimimita
  36. “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” Celia Cruz
  37. “Latino Swing” Banda Blanca
  38. “La Cortina” La Sonora Dinamita
  39. “Fiesta” Banda Blanca
  40. “El Privilegio de Amar” Mijares y Lucero
  41. “Count On Me” Bruno Mars
  42. “Landslide” Glee Cast
  43. “How Sweet It Is” Michael Buble
  44. “Stand By Me” Prince Royce
  45. “Dance With My Father” Celine Dion
  46. Quinceañera Waltz Dance Songs
  47. “Balada Para Adelina” Piano solo
  48. “Butterfly Kisses” Bob Carlisle
  49. “Chiquitita” ABBA
  50. “Dance with My Father” Celine Dion
  51. “Tiempo De Vals” Chayanne
  52. “I Hope You Dance’ Lee Ann Womack
  53. “My Girl” The Temptations
  54. “El Vals de las Mariposas” Jose Guardiola
  55. “Mi Viejo” Vicente Fernández
  56. “Unforgettable” Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
  57. “Wind Beneath My Wings” Bette Midler
  58. Quinceañera Father Daughter Dance Songs
  59. “Amor Eterno” Various Artists
  60. “Mi Princesa” David Bisbal
  61. Quinceañera ‘Surprise’ Dance Songs
  62. “Single Ladies” Beyonce

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Dance Engagements, Inc. is a world-renowned, Los Angeles nonprofit dance company that believes in modeling and training the “whole” dancer in a hands-on environment, nurturing their needs, and encouraging self-betterment.

Our mission is to engage and educate dancers of all ages, shapes, & sizes in the arts of cultural dances worldwide while promoting positive physical health, community outreach, environmental awareness, and self-betterment.

Our dance company in Los Angeles is composed of artists ranging from student dancers to world-class performers, and master choreographers respected around the globe.

Our globally-recognized  Los Angeles dance instructors are not only award-winning and extremely talented performers but more importantly, they love to teach and promote their passion for the art of dance.  Read More About Us

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What is a surprise dance in a Quinceañera?

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