The Spanish word for the formal quinceañera waltz is vals.
A vals is often performed by the quinceañera with her father, another honored relative, or members of her court. The dance gives the celebration a formal centerpiece and allows the family to present the honoree to guests. Some families also include a choreographed modern dance after the waltz.
The dance tradition reflects the influence of European ballroom customs on elite and middle-class celebrations in Latin America. Over time, families combined the formal waltz with local music, popular songs, and contemporary choreography.
Vals should not be treated as the name of every dance at a quinceañera. Music choices differ greatly by family and country, and salsa, cumbia, merengue, regional music, and pop songs may also appear. The distinctive point is that vals identifies the formal waltz portion, not the entire reception’s soundtrack.