Dancers perform to a variety of popular songs and classics during the Royal Dance Academy recital on June 26. Click here to view more or purchase photos.
Photo by: Will Parson
An instructor gathers a group of some of the youngest students for some final words of inspiration before their big performance.
Throngs of dancers watch their peers backstage before taking to the stage themselves.
Dads appear onstage to hug and kiss their daughters.
An instructor performs a special tribute to Michael Jackson.
A young dancer waits backstage before her performance.
Haley Dunning, 6, plays her Nintendo DS to pass the time before performing.
Carmel Valley's Francine Garton's Royal Dance Academy held its eighth annual dance recital over three nights at UCSD's Mandeville Auditorium showcasing everything from beginner ballet to energetic hip-hop.
Garton, a British import, started the Piazza Carmel dance school in 2001 and this year had 136 ballet students pass Royal Academy of Dance in England examinations.
While classes are out for summer, the academy offers several fun dance camps through August, including learning the moves of "High School Musical 3" and "Camp Rock," Dancing Dolls Camp (where girls dance ballet, tap and jazz with their dolls) and Technique Camp for dancers looking to seriously improve their skills in the summer months.
Karen Billing Karen is a writer for the Del Mar Times, Carmel Valley Times, Rancho Santa Fe Review and Solana Beach Sun. Karen can be reached by e-mail.
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