|OAKVILLE BEAVER |Thursday, Augusi Students practice more with Academy's testing system Practice is definitely not a favourite activity for most music students. The Academy of Music in Oakville has helped to solve that problem by being the first school in Canada to license the Musical Ladder System. The music teaching system is being used by music schools across the U.S. and Canada to inspire music students to practice more and enhance their love for music. Similar to karate belt tests, every 90 days or so students have a test with their private mu sic teacher. When they pass they receive really cool colour wristbands with the name of the level they passed. They also receive a certifi cate and at some levels a trophy. The system has been a great way for owner James Franczekto help inspire his students. "It's amazing to see students practicing so much. The kids are really excited to get to the next level," says Franczek about the program. The Musical Ladder System has been a hit with local music students and their parents. The Academ y of Music Facebook page show cases pictures of the students smiling with pride when they pass their tests. Advertorial Students perform with Pure Grace Students of dance will delight in the perfor mance opportunities provided through Pure Grace, the performing dance company of Grace Academy of Dance & Performing Arts in Oakville. For students of the school, this is exactly what many young dancers aspire to. Grace Academy is a dance and performing arts school that truly inspires. Classes are offered in classical ballet, jazz, modern theatre dance, hip hop, tap, musical theatre and acting. The academy adheres to the syllabus of the Imperial Society ofTeachers of Dancing (ISTD) for ballet, modern jazz and tap. All classes are taught by qualified instructors in an environment that's in structive, enjoyable and non-competitive. Performance opportunities provided through Pure Grace treat dancers to the rich experience of live performance. Creativity and confidence blend with the thrill of dance in a forum that en courages new learning, a quick assimilation of choreography, and the ability to adapt to different performance environments. The dance company consists of dancers aged 9 to 17 and embodies a wide range of dance styles. Pure Grace is relatively new at the academy. Now progressing beyond its first year, Pure Grace has nonetheless been quite busy with an im pressive repertoire of performances: www.insideHALTON.com Pure Grace students from the dance company at Grace Academy of Dance & Performing Arts in Oakville showcase their skills. A student receives a wristband and a certificate to recognize her success. To check out this cutting edge music teach ing system or for more information on the Academy, contact the Academy of Music at 905-845-1227 or visit the website at www. academymusic.org. Oakville Children's Festival Performance in support of ArtHouse at Film.Ca Cinemas Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, "Where Are You Christmas?" (December 2015) Palermo Village Retirement Home Burlington Performing Arts Centre, "Cabaret" "Evening of Dance" at Film.Ca Cinemas Additional opportunities for students to perform have included takin g part in workshops with the likes of dance company BBOYIZM, Natasha Frid, dance notator for the National Ballet of Canada, and musical theatre professional Danielle Benton. There's much to discover at Grace Academy of Dance & Performing Arts. Pure Grace is sim ply one component of this trendy and profes sional dance academy. The academy welcomes inquiries for performances by this very talented dance troupe. For more information, contact Grace Acad emy of Dance & Performing Arts by calling 905-338-0210 or emailing graceacademy@ sympatico.ca. The academy is located at 785 Pacific Rd., Unit 1, Oakville. 1520 P in e G len R o a d , O a k v i l l e , O N , L 6 M 4 P 4 T e l : (9 0 5 ) 8 4 9 -4 4 3 6