Dance students win top awards in Long Beach

Students from the Academy of Dance and School of Performing Arts in Westlake Village attended the recent Starpower National Talent Competition in Long Beach.

The Academy entered 12 routines and won two "shining star" first-place trophies for ballet and hip-hop, seven elite golds and five gold trophies.

The hip-hop trio of Natalie Henry, Tess Listick and Savannah Payton won a special "furious footwork" award. Alexa Diaz won a "strut your stuff" award for her solo, "The Walk."

Academy choreographers Apphia Laune, Asher Lewis, Ahijalia Hall, Amy Miller and Jessica Starr taught the routines.

For more information, call (818) 889-1515 or visit the website at www.academyofdance.