A quinceañera fit for a princess

Gabriela Ruiz practices a fall in the dance for her upcoming quinceañera. Instructor Alberto Sanchez, 22, third from left, danced in about 60 celebrations as a teenage and now has made a business out of quinceañera choreographing.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Gabriela Ruiz, 14, practices a dance with her cousin Abel Camacho, 15, left, and friend Jose Santos, 14. Her choreographer, Alberto Sanchez, will charge up to $2,000 if the girl wants him to find dance partners for her, rather than enlisting friends and cousins.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Friends and cousins of Gabriela Ruiz practice a dance for her upcoming quinceañera. For many girls, having proficient dance partners is an important part of the celebration.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Choreographer Alberto Sanchez practices with Gabriela Ruiz, 14, at her home in Rosemead. Dancing is a traditional part of the quinceañera celebration.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Gabriela Ruiz, 14, rehearses for her upcoming quinceañera dance with cousin Daniel Robles. The pressure for perfection at Latinas’ coming-of-age celebrations has transformed the look ¿ and price tag ¿ of the once-humble parties.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Gabriela Ruiz practices for her quinceañera with her cousin Daniel Robles. A Latina celebrating her 15-birthday coming-of-age party chooses a group of relatives, friends or -- nowadays -- a hired dance partner to be her tuxedo-clad escorts.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Eric Jimenez Reyes choreographs a dance for an upcoming quinceañera celebration in Van Nuys. His brother, Jorge, will be the chambelán de honor -- the girl’s main escort -- and will be paid for the part.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Elvia Renteria, center, has her hoop skirt tie by her mother Milca Urquiza at a dance rehearsal for her upcoming quinceañera in Van Nuys. Elvia is paying for a dance partner, instead of enlisting a friend or cousin. “This is new to me,” her mother said. “But things change and, well, nothing¿s free in this world.”  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Jorge Reyes, rehearsing with Elvia Renteria her upcoming coming-of-age celebration. Elvia is paying Jorge to be her chambelán de honor -- main escort -- at her quinceañera. She wanted someone who was a good dancer -- and it helped Jorge is a head taller than her.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)