Dance Performances in San Diego — Spring Ballet, Summer Recital & The Nutcracker
Spring Ballet
Excerpts from The Classics
Each year dancers will learn and and perform variations from different classical ballets. There are so many beautiful ballet stories for us to choose from each spring, and we felt that this year, we would treat our dancers to a taste of everything!
2026 Spring Ballet Performance April 18th 2026!
At Torrey Pines High School Theater
4:00-5:00pm - Tickets on sale March 21st!
Summer Recital
The highlight of the year!
Our Summer Recital is a vibrant celebration of the creativity and growth nurtured throughout the season. Dancers of all ages will showcase their talent and passion, bringing to life a stunning array of performances that highlight the joy and artistry of dance. We showcase every dance style, leaving the audience wanting more.
Our recitals are renowned for their high standard, with every detail—from choreography to costumes—exemplifying a professional level of excellence. The energy and precision of each performance ensure that the audience enjoys an incredibly entertaining experience. It’s a memorable evening where families and friends come together to applaud the dedication and hard work of our dancers.
2026 Summer Recital - at the Poway Center for Performing Arts
Tickets on sale May 2nd 2026!
Show A - June 9th @ 6:00pm
Show B - June 10th @ 6:00pm
Show C - June 11th @ 6:00pm
The Nutcracker
Experience the Magic of The Nutcracker
Every season, join us for a captivating journey into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker. This timeless holiday classic brings to life the story of Clara, her magical adventure, and the unforgettable characters of the Land of Sweets. Every year, our students ages 3 years and above have the opportunity to audition and perform in the full-length production of The Nutcracker. A festive celebration of dance, music, and wonder, it’s the perfect way to experience the magic of the season. The Dance Academy Del Mar produces the full-length Nutcracker and brings in guest artists at the highest caliber each year.
Tickets on sale November 1st 2025!
340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
Show A - December 6th 2025 - 1:00pm
Show B - December 6th 2025 - 5:00pm
The Dance Academy Del Mar produces professional dance performances in San Diego three times a year, giving students of every age a platform to perform in professionally produced theatrical productions.
Located at Del Mar Highlands Town Center in Carmel Valley, The Dance Academy Del Mar is the only studio in San Diego affiliated with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). This internationally recognized program holds a gold standard for ballet education and artistic development.
Whether your child is three years old, stepping into their first student dance recital, or a dedicated dancer preparing for a full-length Nutcracker production, every performance here is professionally staged and artistically meaningful.
Professional Dance Performances in San Diego for Every Student
At The Dance Academy Del Mar, performance is a central part of the dance education experience — not an afterthought. Students develop real stage confidence through structured rehearsals, professional choreography, and productions held at recognized San Diego area venues. Every dancer, regardless of age or skill level, has a place in the studio's annual performance calendar.
The faculty at The Dance Academy Del Mar includes a former Bolshoi Ballet soloist and a Guinness World Record holder — professionals who bring a depth of real performance experience to every class and rehearsal. Students benefit from this expertise not only in the studio but on stage, where the quality of instruction becomes fully visible. Founder Ms. Francine Garton brings over 25 years of dance education experience and a legacy of three successful, award-winning studios to every production The Dance Academy Del Mar creates.
Three Annual Productions That Define the Season
The Dance Academy Del Mar produces three major dance performance showcases each year. Each production is distinct, professionally staged, and designed to celebrate the growth and dedication of every student.
Spring Ballet: Excerpts from the Classics
Each spring, dancers learn and perform variations from different classical ballet stories — a program that changes annually to give students a genuine taste of the classical repertoire. There are so many beautiful ballet stories to choose from each spring, and this year. The Dance Academy Del Mar brings its dancers a taste of everything. The Spring Ballet Performance is an elegant showcase of the technique and artistry developed throughout the season, performed on a professional stage in front of family and friends.
2026 Spring Ballet Performance - April 18th, 2026 Torrey Pines High School Theater 4:00–5:00 PM | Tickets on sale March 21st
Summer Recital: The Highlight of the Year
The Summer Recital is a vibrant celebration of the creativity and growth nurtured throughout the season. Dancers of all ages showcase their talent and passion, bringing to life a stunning array of performances across every dance style offered at the studio. This is the dance performance showcase that families look forward to all year — and for good reason. Every detail, from choreography to costumes, reflects a professional standard of excellence. The energy and precision of each performance deliver an entertaining experience that brings families and friends together to applaud the hard work and dedication of the dancers. This is the student dance recital at its highest production standard.
2026 Summer Recital - Poway Center for Performing Arts Tickets on sale May 2nd, 2026 Show A: June 9th @ 6:00 PM | Show B: June 10th @ 6:00 PM | Show C: June 11th @ 6:00 PM
The Nutcracker: A Timeless Holiday Ballet
Every season, The Dance Academy Del Mar produces a full-length Nutcracker production, bringing in guest artists of the highest caliber to perform alongside the studio's students. Students ages three and above have the opportunity to audition and perform in this beloved holiday ballet — a festive celebration of dance arts, music, and wonder. The Nutcracker Ballet at The Dance Academy Del Mar is a complete professional production with authentic choreography, costumes, and guest artist collaborations that make every performance a special occasion for students and audiences alike.
2025 Nutcracker Production 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025 Tickets on sale November 1st, 2025 Show A: December 6th, 2025 @ 1:00 PM | Show B: December 6th, 2025 @ 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Dance Academy Del Mar produces three major performances annually: the Spring Ballet Performance (Excerpts from the Classics), the Summer Recital, and a full-length Nutcracker production. Each production is held at a professional San Diego area venue, features professional choreography and costuming, and in the case of The Nutcracker, includes guest artists of the highest caliber performing alongside studio students.
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Students ages three and above are eligible to audition and perform in The Dance Academy Del Mar's annual Nutcracker production. The Nutcracker is a full-length production that brings together students across all ages and skill levels alongside professional guest artists, creating a holiday ballet experience that is both professionally produced and deeply memorable for students and families.
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Performances are held at professional venues across the San Diego region. The 2026 Spring Ballet Performance takes place at Torrey Pines High School Theater on April 18th, 2026. The 2026 Summer Recital is held at the Poway Center for Performing Arts with three shows on June 9th, 10th, and 11th, 2026. The 2025 Nutcracker is performed at 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025, with two shows on December 6th, 2025.
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Yes. The Dance Academy Del Mar is the only studio in San Diego offering the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) program — an internationally recognized ballet curriculum. Students can sit for official RAD exams to earn internationally recognized certifications, and the RAD curriculum underpins the studio's approach to ballet dance performance and ballet education programs across all levels.
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The Dance Academy Del Mar's annual productions showcase every dance style taught at the studio. The Summer Recital in particular features dance performances across RAD Ballet, Classic Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, contemporary dance, Acro, Musical Theater, and more. This ensures that every student — from those in Baby & Me to advanced ballet dancers — has a dedicated dance performance opportunity each year.