A team of talented dancers from Dorset have been setting the world stage alight after they fly to Spain to compete in the Dance World Cup finals.
Eighteen dancers from Poole’s Steppin’ Out Academy are competing against the best in the world at the competition in San Sebastián which ends on July 2.
They earned their place after finishing in the top five in the national heats last year.
The young ‘Steppers’, aged from 12 to 18, have been entering both solo, duo and large group sections.
Principal of Steppin’ Out Academy, Angela Taylor, said: “This is the ultimate and most prestigious competition dancers of this age can compete in.
“To say I am proud is an understatement… this is the pinnacle so far in their young dance careers.
“Not only have they been working incredibly hard on their dance routines, but they have also been very busy fundraising to make this trip of a lifetime possible.
Eighteen year-old Thomas Parkes has been competing in the Senior Boys’ Show Dance, Lyrical and Contemporary solo categories, along with Charlotte Serle in the Senior Duet section in Contemporary dance.
Also doing their bit for showcasing boys dancing is 17 year-old Ben Hoole who is competing in the Boys Show Dance and Contemporary solos.
The whole Steppin’ Out team have come together for the Senior Contemporary Large Group, Song and Dance Large Group and Senior Ballet Large Group categories.
Team captain Ruby Whitmarsh said: “We are incredibly excited to perform our dances on the world stage and are still pinching ourselves that this is actually happening.
“We’ve promised to do Steppin’ Out, Dorset and England proud!”.