About Us

Grace Academy of Dance & Performing Arts follows the syllabus of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing for ballet, modern jazz, and tap.

Our highly skilled instructors ensure students receive a solid foundation in dance and theatrical technique in a friendly, non-competitive environment. In fact, Grace Academy is one of the few schools that does not concentrate on competitive work within our program. Our students are given opportunities to perform within the community, and to take part in a specially themed performance at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts each year.

Our focus is on building the individual – allowing students to grow at their own pace and in their own unique ways. When taught correctly, dance is a wonderful way to develop grace, strength and flexibility and to nurture growth in personal expression and confidence!

At Grace Academy, we strive to promote a sense of community both within our school and in the Oakville/Burlington and Milton area. We encourage our dancers to use their talents to help others. As such, our students have raised funds for the CIBC Run for the Cure, the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Hope Totes, and the Wellspring Cancer Support Centre. In studio special events are held such as “loonie for love week” and “toonies for toys”.

Faculty

Heidi Knapp, FISTD, B.A. Drama
Owner and Artistic Director

Heidi Knapp is a Fellow and past examiner with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. She holds qualifications that specialize in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre Dance and Tap, as well as intermediate training in National Dance. In addition to this, she holds a B.A. in Drama with a specialization in Stage Management and has completed the Foundations Course with DiscoverDance for Early Childhood Dance Educators. She is a proud member of the Gold Dance Life Studio Owner Alliance.

Heidi is a firm believer that dance should be experienced by everyone. Her teaching experience of more than 35 years covers work in dance, drama and musical theatre with dancers aged 18 months to 85!

Heidi is the Director of the Spirit Moves Christian Dance Company, for which she was nominated for the Oakville Community Spirit Awards in 2005. She also teaches dance to seniors and is the choreographer for The Oakville Happy Tappers.

In November of 2017, Heidi received the Canada 150 Sesquicentennial Citizenship Award for engaging and inspiring youth in the community. She has also been nominated as Entrepreneur of the Year and Small Business of the Year in the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence.

Heidi takes pride in offering dance to all ages and fostering creativity, a strong work ethic, integrity and a sense of community in all of her students.

Sarah Vanduyvenvoorde

Grace Academy is very fortunate to have Sarah VanDuyvenvoorde on staff. She has been teaching modern, jazz, hip hop, tap and ballet for more than 30 years and is an Associate of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Sarah also holds advanced certificates in ballet, modern, tap and national dance. For those of you new to the school – our dancers call Sarah “Mrs. Van Dunk” – a combination of her maiden and married name- and much easier to pronounce!

Sarah brings creativity, energy and a genuine love of children to all of her classes! She is dedicated to excellence, and has been an important member of our faculty since we opened!

Ali Daly

A graduate of Grace Academy, Ali Daly returned to join our faculty in 2017. Ali is a Toronto Metropolitan University graduate with a B.A in Creative Industries. She specializes in hip hop dance and has trained with various projects in Toronto including: O.I.P Dance Company, Professional division at BOSS Dance Company and The Clique Dance Crew. Ali has performed in Toronto showcases including: Fever After Dark, The Industry Season 2, Choreoball, The Dance Teacher Expo, Bazaar, The Beatdown, G.O.A.T Dance Competition and many more.

She currently works at the creative studio “All time Artist Co” as a digital content manager, while continuing to be an advocate for the Toronto dance community.

Meredith Busteed

Meredith is a Musical Theatre performer and teaching artist; she is also the Co-Creator and Artistic Director of Young Artists’ Theatre in Burlington. Meredith is a proud graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, with a Masters in Music Theatre. She also holds a B.A. in Drama from Queen’s University and has earned advanced certificates in Tap, Ballet, and Modern.

Meredith has performed professionally throughout southwestern Ontario, as well as in Scotland and the United Kingdom. She has also worked as a producer and musical theatre choreographer, but her greatest love is teaching and helping students find their voice, and grow in confidence, all within a supportive community.

Natasha Wandel

Natasha is valued member of our musical theatre team and substitute teacher. She is a graduate of Grace Academy and has trained in all dance styles to an advanced level. She holds a Masters in Applied Music and Health, and brings extensive knowledge, vocal training, and experience to her teaching, along with an incredible sense of fun! In addition to her teaching, she currently works as a music therapist at Baycrest Hospital in Toronto.