Dances for the Quinceanera show up in venues as varied as intimate private residences, family estates, country clubs, church halls, hotels and restaurants. Usually three dances are needed for the Quinceanera celebration: the Father/Daughter Dance, the Group Waltz, and the Group Dance.
QUINCEANERA DANCES
Start the dance instruction early -- nine months to a year in advance is a good rule of thumb.
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:
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Sunrise Sunset from Fiddler On The Roof Soundtrack
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Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
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Run for the Roses by Dan Fogelberg
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Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart
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What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
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Unforgettable by Natalie/Nat King Cole
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Hero by Mariah Carey
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Lullaby by The Cure
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Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
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My Father's Eyes by Amy Grant
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Thank Heaven for Little Girls from Gigi Soundtrack
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Teach Your Children Well by
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Through The Years by Kenny Rogers
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You're My Hero by Teresa James
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My Girl by The Temptations
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Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Most Father/Daughter dances take approximately 3 - 6 hours of rehearsals, 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.
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 5-10 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:
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Sleeping Beauty Waltz
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Cinderella Waltz
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Blue
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Tales From The
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Voices Of Spring
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Wine, Women, Song
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Artist’s Life
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Weiner But
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Princess Waltz
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Emperor’s Waltz
“FUN” GROUP DANCE
This dance can be a sassy salsa or combination of Latin dances like meringue, 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, don’t forget to 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 timeframe will help make your dancing dreams come true with beauty, elegance and excitement.
Jillian Forbath,
Tel: 949-400-7347
