chambelanes

¿Qué tal? How many of you are planning on doing a traditional waltz? Are you totally stressed on how to do it perfectly? Check out this video, where the entire court and the quinceañera are introduced during the dance. We messaged the choreographer, Linda, on YouTube. She replied with some great tips for you! And have no fear -- Linda said the court learned this waltz in one day!

TIPS:

• Make sure to include the bow and curtsy.
  
• Recognize each chambelan by dancing with him as his name is announced. The chambelán de honor should go last.
• Add flowers to the routine to make it extra fancy. A simple twirling in and out while holding roses will do the trick.
  
• Present the damas by having them curtsy alongside their chambelán, who escorts them toward the quince girl. Each dama gives her rose to you as she leaves the floor.
  
• The main attraction is YOU, the birthday girl, so keep yourself at the center of attention throughout the dance for both the waltz and the surprise dance.

I like how the damas and chambelanes were introduced separately, don't you? At my quince, we introduced them in pairs, but since they're not actually couples in real life, I think the individual attention is nice. How 'bout you?

I just got back from my cousin’s quince in Dallas, and I must say, the dancing was muy fabuloso! I was super impressed by her chambelanes' dance moves. I know there is no way I could have gotten the boys in my court to move like that. (No offense, chicos, but we all know how lazy and immature you can be sometimes!) So imagine my surprise when my prima told me that she completely agreed, and she decided to not have any of her guy friends be chambelanes in her court.

So who were these mystery boys burning up the dance floor at my cousin’s quince? They were professional quinceañera dancers known as “cadets”!

Apparently, hiring all-male dance crews to replace chambelanes is Dallas’ hottest quince trend. The cadets, who get their names from the U.S. Marine uniforms they wear, spend several days before the quinceañera practicing entrance and dance routines with the quince girl.

It costs anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 to hire 7-14 cadets, but to some, it’s worth it. You'll also get to choose your dancers. My cousin said she picked the cutest ones!

Here’s a video of the Latin Boys of Fort Worth cadet dance crew performing at the All Saints Expo:

Latin Boys of Fort Worth Cadets

Don’t they look guapisimo in those Marine uniforms? Learn more about cadets by reading this article in the Dallas Morning News.

Would you consider hiring cadets or professional dancers to perform in your quinceañera?

Hola guapas! OK, so my BFF Lucía and I agree on practically everything when it comes to music. We are both totally obsessed with Kat Deluna and Julieta Venegas. We both think Enrique Iglesias is the hottest singer on the planet. Neither of us will ever get sick of listening to "Get Right" by fellow Nuyorican Jennifer Lopez.

But there is one thing we just don't see eye to eye on: the baile sorpresa. I think everyone in the court should be involved. Lucía thinks it's way better if it's just the quince girl and her chambelán. What do you think?

Lucía wanted all eyes to be on her so she did it without the court. For my quince, I included everyone because I thought a big performance would be more fun and energetic. Plus, I wanted my friends to be a part of it. What are you planning to do? Do you think that having your whole court participate steals your spotlight?

I made sure that no one stole my baile sorpresa thunder by changing my dress for it, while everyone else stayed in the same outfits. I made a special entrance and at the end of the song, everyone except my chambelán and I exited, so the two of us could do a finale. How else will you make sure you're the super-estrella of your surprise dance?