Quinceañeras, one of the most cherished traditions in Latinx culture, are meant to be a grand celebration marking a young woman’s transition into adulthood. But for several Houston-area families, their dream-event turned into a nightmare, when they encountered unfulfilled promises from a choreographer who had been hired to provide dance services for their daughters’ quinceañera celebrations.
Three families who had paid thousands of dollars for dance choreography, including a waltz and several other dances, say they were let down by the choreographer they trusted. Their stories highlight the emotional and financial toll this experience has taken on them and their families.
The First Encounter: How They Got in Touch
Each of these families first got in contact with the choreographer through various means, but they all shared one commonality: they trusted him because of a personal referral.
Gretel Mendez said, “I got in contact with him through a Facebook group called ‘Quinceañeras and Concert Halls.’ He reached out to me, and he seemed like a really great guy. He promised a fair price, and everything seemed perfect.”
Janet Martinez explained, “It was through text. I asked a friend for his number, because he worked with her daughter, and I thought I could trust him.”
Meanwhile, Jander Ortiz met the choreographer through an event expo. “I met him through the ND Queens Expo. He seemed professional, and my daughter and I liked him. He came highly recommended, and everything seemed legit.”
The Promised Services: What They Expected
The choreographer promised to provide services that would make each quinceañera a special occasion—services that ranged from basic choreography to full-scale performances.
Gretel shared, “He promised choreography for three songs, plus a waltz, and five dancers for my daughter’s quinceañera.”
Janet received the same offer. “He promised choreography for three songs, a waltz, and also provided the dancers for my daughter’s quinceañera.”
Jander had a similar experience. “He promised full choreography for five dances, including a surprise dance and parent dances, and would provide dancers for my daughter.”
The Red Flags: Missed Meetings and Lack of Communication
After paying the deposit, things began to go awry. The families soon realized something wasn’t right when meetings were postponed multiple times and communication became sparse.
Gretel said, “I paid him $500 upfront. After that, he started canceling meetings, and eventually, I asked for my deposit back. But I never heard from him again.”
Janet had a similar experience: “I paid him a deposit of $500. He postponed our meeting three times and then stopped responding. I finally asked for my deposit back, but got no response.”
For Jander, it took months of trying to reach the choreographer. “I paid him $900 upfront. After that, communication started to get really spotty. I tried contacting him, but he never responded. I kept texting and calling, and eventually, he stopped answering altogether.”
The Breaking Point: When They Realized Something Was Wrong
The families started feeling uneasy when the cancellations kept coming. By the time they realized they were being let down, it was too late to recover their deposits.
Gretel noted, “After the first missed meeting, I started getting suspicious. But after multiple cancellations and no response, I knew something was wrong.”
Janet recalled, “After the third cancellation, I knew something wasn’t right. That’s when I started to get really worried.”
For Jander, the tipping point came when he couldn’t get any communication. “It wasn’t until months later when I couldn’t get any communication that I realized he had disappeared. That’s when I knew something was wrong.”
The Emotional and Financial Toll
The financial loss was devastating, but the emotional toll was even more severe for these families. For many, it wasn’t just the money—it was the loss of an irreplaceable memory.
Gretel expressed, “It was very stressful and financially tough. I had already spent a lot of money, and now I had to start over.”
Janet admitted, “Emotionally, it was very stressful. It’s a huge financial and emotional investment for families. To lose that money is incredibly frustrating.”
For Jander, the stress was compounded by the secrecy he had to maintain. “It was really stressful. I kept it from my daughter because I didn’t want her to get stressed, but it definitely took a toll on me.”
Reaching Out: Their Efforts to Recover Their Money
Determined to find out if others were in the same situation, the families reached out to the choreographer’s previous clients. What they learned was unsettling.
Gretel tried to get in touch with the choreographer, but he disappeared. “I reached out to people from a studio where I met him, and they told me he’d done this to other families too. I was shocked and upset.”
Janet said, “I heard from others who had also been let down by him. He had done the same thing to several families before me. That’s when I realized it wasn’t just me.”
Jander felt deceived when he learned the same choreographer had repeated the same behavior with others. “I was really surprised to find out that he was doing this to so many other people. It made it harder to trust people in the future.”
What Would They Say to Him Now?
If they had the chance to confront the choreographer, each of these mothers would have one simple message.
Gretel said, “I would ask him why he’s messing with people’s emotions and money. He’s not just ruining one event; he’s ruining a memory that people hold dear.”
Janet would tell him, “He’s not just messing with people’s money but their emotions as well. These events are something that families look forward to, and he’s taking that away from them.”
Jander added, “I’d ask him why he did it. Why did he take advantage of me and others? He could’ve communicated with us, and we could’ve worked something out. He took our money and trust.”
Lessons Learned: How to Avoid Similar Experiences
For families planning quinceañeras or other major events, these mothers offer some important advice.
Gretel warned, “Always check references and look for reviews. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Janet emphasized, “Go with someone who has a solid track record and an actual business location. Trust your instincts and don’t get rushed into decisions.”
Jander added, “Don’t let the price fool you. If someone offers a huge discount for booking today, that’s a major red flag.”
Going Forward
While these families are working hard to rebuild their quinceañera plans, their stories serve as a cautionary tale. It’s essential to do your homework, trust your gut, and protect both your finances and your emotions when planning big celebrations. In the end, these memories are too important to risk on someone who isn’t trustworthy.
What You Can Do
If you or someone you know has been affected by a similar situation, please contact local authorities. Always research thoroughly before committing to any vendor or service.
