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Modern Day Vals

You just wanna have fun with the waltz
The vals, or waltz, is a tradition at the heart of every quinceanos, just like the crowning of the quinceanera and the presentation of the last doll. If the quinceanera's heart doesn't follow tradition, however, there are many easy ways to make the waltz fun, hip and modern.

Use dance choreography and the quince waltz to express the heart and soul of your quinceanera.
The vals, or waltz, is a tradition at the heart of every quinceanos, just like the crowning of the quinceanera and the presentation of the last doll. If the quinceanera's heart doesn't follow tradition, however, there are many easy ways to make the waltz fun, hip and modern.

“I don't care how ghetto or princess she wants to be, every girl wants to feel special the day of her quince. It's supposed to represent you and your style,” says Erika “Chucke” Peña, who has studied dance in college and danced off-Broadway in New York before continuing her late father's quince company in Houston, Texas.

Chucke saw that courts were easily bored with music they didn't listen to and learning moves they didn't like. So, she combined today's music with yesterday's waltz movements. “How about a waltz that they would be interested in, and actually enjoy doing, and actually appreciate? Because the waltz is a tradition that you should keep alive”, explained "Chucke", known by her street name she earned as a break dancer.

Some things never change
In her modern waltz, the ladies are still ladies, the boys are still gentlemen, and the courts still curtsy and bow. But the 15 couples in the court dance to contemporary music, like the remix of an Orishas song on the Havana Nights movie soundtrack. The Cuban hip-hop/rap group may not play a classic Blue Danube, but it still inspires a great dance. Peña mixes a little cha-cha-cha and hip-hop with the traditional, Cinderella-like waltz movements, like open arms, big legs and spinning and switching partners.

You can always improvise
In addition to waltzing to contemporary music, a quinceañera can add acting to the dance to modernize it, according to Manuel Armando Bravo, choreographer of Maestros de Vals in Houston, Texas. For example, he has choreographed a skit and waltz between the father and the small quinceañera.

“The vals is an opportunity to be creative", recommends Bravo, a native of Puebla, Mexico. Laura Isensee is a staff reporter for RUMBO de Houston, part of a network of Spanish-language daily newspapers in Texas. A native of Houston, Ms. Isensee graduated from the University of Texas at Austin where she studied Spanish and wrote for The Daily Texan. Photography courtesy of: Chucke's Choreography; Manuel Armando Bravo. Sources for this story include: Chucke's Choreography; Manuel Armando Bravo.

Other choreography resources: MarÃa Piña, 713-366-9136; Imperio Coreografos, Javier Maqueda 713-926-2989.

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written by kiara purple, December 31, 2007

this wewbsite rocks!!!!!!!!!????????????
yeah!!!!!??????????

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written by yaneth, January 07, 2008

i like this story!!! i still dont have mine and im trying to find ideas or get ideas for my big day!!!i still have about 6 or 7 months!!! smilies/grin.gif

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written by Hannah Garcia, January 10, 2008

How do I find someone who will teach a fun version of the waltz. so it's still traditional but fun and cool to where my friends will have a blast dancing to it???

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written by marya gomez, January 24, 2008

where did the girl girl in the maroon get her dress from.its very pretty

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written by zexfina, January 27, 2008

i think im going to do a
mix!!!!!&even have a few
things
ever done b-4 smilies/cool.gif

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written by TRAVIESA-4-life, January 28, 2008

this site is cool but im lookin for coriography,,,...

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written by !CAR0LiNA!, February 25, 2008

i wanna to da traditional waltz but alot of my friends ive been a dama for are including other types of dances too....lyk merengue,salsa,cumbia,or bachata. i wanna do it too but wud it be breaking the tradition TOO much??
i wudnt really mind too much if it is but im still not sure on whether to do it or not????
wat do u guys think??

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written by ***SANDY***, March 03, 2008

my quinceanera is in 5 months and i only want 3 chambelanes do you think that i need more o will that look ok ?

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written by Isabel, March 26, 2008

Um i bearly Starting to plan my quince and well we want to get everything over with as soon as possible which is why i ask should i get damas and chambelanes and if i do i live in the rio grande valley and i need a good dance theacher or whatever.

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written by adolfo lopez, April 13, 2008

NECESITO UN COREOGRAFO PARA LOS 15 ANOS DE MI HERMANA AQUI EN HOUSTON Y NECESITA HABLAR CON EL O QUE EL ME LLAME ME INTERESA POR FAVOR MANDENME UN MENSAJE

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written by breaker BREAKER, April 15, 2008

ok i only have 3months to show 16 kids how to vals and i dont even know how im only good with breakdancing weir do i find out how to dance vals?????

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written by MyBffJill, May 11, 2008

This looks ok but im doing a traditional waltz, it looks more elegant. smilies/grin.gif

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written by jennifer, May 16, 2008

ur quince looks like it was really fun

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written by danya, May 18, 2008

k pendejes es esto ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy no k orror pinches putos hijos del varguenza de su madre por putos

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written by TWiiNKii, May 21, 2008

WOW YOU ROCK DIZ IS THE BEST QUINCE WEB EVER WOW.....LOL.....

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written by Banges, June 05, 2008

I am having a hard time finding music for my entrance,vals,and baile sorpresa. If you know any good songs or know were to find good songs ples let me know. Thank You smilies/kiss.gif

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written by Diana Romero, June 06, 2008

I am looking for someone who can take charge of all the dances for my daughter's party. I am in Long Island, New York Can you help? the party is this August Please help

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written by zady, June 23, 2008

dats koo i really need ure help

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written by anabel imbago, June 26, 2008

TODAS ALS FOTOGARAFIAS AN ESTADO MUY BIEN MEBOS LA PRIMERA OS FELICITO POR VUESTRO 15 AÑOS

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written by anabel imbago, June 26, 2008

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written by CHILI_WILLI, July 08, 2008

I think that this is a great idea. i was telling my mom about this cause everyone is bored of trying to learn the moves to the traditional waltz! smilies/shocked.gif

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