Steps to Grace Dancers Win Local Competition

"Move out the way," Ludacris-type lyrics and racy dancing.

Steps to Grace Dance Academy in Machesney Park is tweaking hip-hop moves and lyrics to make the music its students dance to , well, modest.

"It's clean, a better message than what most are saying," said Amber Lee, 17, of Machesney Park, a Harlem High School senior who takes hip-hop classes Thursdays at the academy. When she was younger, she danced tap and ballet at the academy and found those structured.

LOVES PARK -- Even as a 3-year-old, Daniella Milroy knew she wanted to be a professional ballerina, just like her mother.

"I thought it looked like fun," she said. "I loved the costumes she got to wear, and I wanted to be just like her."

Now a fifth-grader at Machesney Park Fine Arts Elementary School, Milroy continues working to make her dreams come true. She puts in more than six hours each week of dance practice, perfecting her ballet and jazz skills.

Opened: June 2004

Products and services: We teach dance classes for people 3 years old to adult. We offer classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and lyrical, and a junior praise choir for ages 7 to 11. We use Christian music, and we try to provide a very positive atmosphere. It's a real wholesome environment for the kids to learn in. We also just added some adult aerobic classes for the summer session. The whole six-week summer session starts May 24. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon.

Why did you get into this business? I've been dancing since I was 3 years old, and I got into it when I started teaching dance at different schools and studios in the area after college. I started my business because I have a firm foundation in my faith, and I wanted there to be a place where kids can learn the art of dance in a positive environment where we honor God with our dancing. I just had a vision that was more positive and family-oriented and just a better place to dance.

How has your business grown since opening? We opened with 60 students and we've grown to our new location with approximately 155 students in two years. We were originally holding classes out of the basement of Concordia Lutheran Church in Machesney Park, and we just moved into our new location in January. People have been telling their friends, families and neighbors, and each semester we get bigger and bigger. I've also added a couple teachers along the way.

Where do you see your business in the next five years? My ultimate goal is to have a facility in Rockford that is a performing-arts center or school where there would be drama classes and music. I also teach voice lessons, so that's something I see more of.

What advice can you offer others who are thinking of entering the business? It's a lot of hard work, but I just really kept working at it. If you keep your expenses low at the beginning and really just try to grow your business with the least amount of expenses, that has a lot to do with my success.

What is most satisfying about your business? I love the kids. I have a passion for dance, and I love watching them after I've taught them. It's really neat to see what I've taught them and how they've progressed in two years.

By Rowena Vergara

The costumes are age-appropriate; the moves, clean; the music, Christian; the instructors, positive.

That's what has made Steps to Grace Dance Academy grow so fast, said Holly Reilly, owner and instructor.

"We try to honor God," Reilly said, noting that most of her students are teens and younger and many of them are home-schooled.

Students will perform in the academy's 2nd Annual Spring Performance today at Rockford Theater, 317 Park Ave., Rockford.

The performance showcases the good works the students and academy do, Reilly, 26, said. "I try to be a Christian role model," she said. "It's important for young people nowadays."

Her approach has paid off for her business. Steps to Grace Dance Academy opened in June 2004 in the basement of a Machesney Park church with 60 students. The number of students had grown to more than 150 by January of this year. That's when the academy moved to 6817 Elm Ave., Loves Park.

Cost to attend the academy is $150 for a 45-minute session once a week for 15 weeks.

"It's grown mostly because of word-of-mouth," Reilly said.

By Georgette Braun

Holly Reilly

* Who is she?: The 26-year-old Rockford woman is owner/instructor of Steps to Grace Dance Academy. A 1997 East High School graduate, she has a bachelor's degree with double minors in theater and dance from Millikin University in Decatur. She attends Mount Olive Lutheran Church of Rockford.

* Steps to Grace Dance Academy's recent accomplishment: A benefit performance for the Salvation Army food pantry collected food items from more than 700 people.

* Upcoming event: Grand opening celebration and open house, 2-5 p.m. today, Jan. 7, 6817 Elm Ave., Loves Park.

* What makes your ministry special: "It allows me to teach the art of dance to children, teens and adults while focusing on what I love most: Jesus!"

* Your favorite way to spend free time: "Spending time with my husband and shopping."

* Your friends say that you are ... : "Always smiling."

* Something few people know about you: "I have a puppy named Riley Reilly."

* Something you have always wanted to do: "Travel to another country to help those who are starving and help spread the gospel to those people."

* Someone you would like to meet: "Amy Grant. I think what she is doing on the TV show 'Three Wishes' is amazing."

* Favorite childhood memory: "Spending time with all of my grandparents."

* One of the most valuable lessons you ever learned: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

* Favorite restaurant: "JMK Nippon's."

* Favorite Scripture: "Psalm 149:3, 'Let them praise His name with dancing.' "

-- Edith C. Webster