Vals is the Spanish name commonly used for the quinceañera’s celebratory waltz with her father.
The word vals means “waltz.” In many traditional celebrations, the honoree performs a formal dance with her father or another important family member. The dance may be followed by a choreographed performance with the court, often called the surprise dance or a similar regional name.
Not every quinceañera uses a waltz, and families may choose contemporary music or several dance styles instead. Salsa, merengue, and other Latin dances can also appear at the reception, but they are not the specific traditional term for the formal father-and-daughter dance.