Vals is the Spanish name commonly given to the quinceañera’s formal father-daughter dance.
The word vals means “waltz.” During a traditional quinceañera, the celebrant often performs this formal dance first with her father and then with other relatives or members of the court of honor. The dance may be planned as a graceful, choreographed presentation.
The vals is one of the event’s transition symbols. Its formal style highlights the family’s public recognition of the teenager, while the change of partners can represent the support of relatives and friends as she enters a new stage of life.
Music and choreography vary widely. Some families use a classical waltz, others choose a popular song arranged in waltz time, and many add a separate surprise dance. Therefore, vals identifies the traditional form, not one universal song or routine.