A Step by Step Guide to a Perfect Choreography
Shine bright on the dance floor with the guide to a perfect choreography!
Whether you love to dance or you panic at the thought of waltzing in front of everyone, the truth is that a crowd as large as the hundreds of guests in a Quinceañera can intimidate anyone.
Nevertheless, you already have enough to worry about planning the details of your party; the choreography should be the most fun and exciting part of this process. So don’t worry about it, Ruben Espinoza, choreographer and co-founder of the Cyclo Dance Group in Los Angeles, can help you become a true dancing queen. In this set of videos, he will guide you step by step by giving you useful tips that can help you dance your shoes off on that special night… stress-free!
The first video will show you how to divide the choreography into eight-step cycles in order to learn and memorize it more easily. Ruben shares his dancing secrets with Crystal and her Quince court.
Ruben’s Tips:
Practice makes perfect. “I would advise anyone who is preparing for their surprise dance to practice at least twice a week and two months prior to the big day,” says Ruben. “This way, the quinceañera will have enough time to memorize the entire choreography.”
Get professional help: “The best way to make sure that you show off your exceptional dance moves is to hire a professional choreographer, preferably someone who has previously worked with quinceañeras,” he recommends. “I also suggest that you ask for references. If you go to a quinceañera and like the choreography, then ask the family for a reference. This is a great way to make sure that you are working with someone with talent.”
Avoid feeling uncomfortable: “It is common for people who don’t know how to dance to feel uncomfortable doing so in front of such a large audience. The best way to avoid any slip-ups is to learn the steps and focus on execution,” says Ruben. “It is best to practice in front of a mirror so you can concentrate on your gracefulness. If you practice often and for long periods of time then you should have memorized your steps and feel so confident that messing up or being embarrassed would be almost impossible when the real dancing takes place.
The mirror: “Like I said before, it’s a good idea to practice your dance routine in front of a mirror. Remember to practice in front of a mirror at least two weeks prior to your quince,” explains Ruben. “This way, you won’t depend so much on the mirror and will be ready to dance without it on the day of your Quince.”
Practice in public: Once you have memorized your dance routine and are confident enough to execute it, it would be a good idea to invite over some friends and family and show them what you got. There is a great difference between dancing alone and dancing in front of people. You must prepare for the big day, when all eyes will be on you. An excellent way to do this is to ask your closest friends and family to watch you dance so you can feel comfortable dancing in front of an audience. This way you won’t be nervous during your quinceañera.”
Put on your dress: “Just like there’s a difference between practicing alone and in front of people, there is also a great difference between dancing in sneakers and dancing in high heels,” says Ruben. “Dancing in high heels can be very difficult and can turn into an embarrassing situation if you’re not used to them. Therefore, it is very important for you to practice your routine in high heels, that is if you plan to wear them on your Quince. If possible, I would also recommend having a practice routine at the site where your party will take place while wearing your actual/similar Quince dress and shoes. This way you will know exactly what to expect and will feel more confident.”
Have fun!: “No matter how complicated the choreography is or how nervous you’re feeling… remember that in order to have a great dance routine, you must have fun doing it! Don’t forget to choose a song that you like, practice, and enjoy your special day. After all, it is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration and the only way to become a true dancing queen is to move gracefully on the dance floor. This will motivate your guests to do the same and your Quince will become a memorable event.
Ruben Espinoza is a professional dancer with more than 10 years of experience on stage as well as backstage. He is the co-founder of the Cyclo Dance Group in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to his work with Cyclo, Ruben has cooperated with Kyn Lee & Dancers throughout Asia and southern California as well as a dance group in California State University Los Angeles.
Video by Alicia Monsalve
