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