Area teacher finds spiritual solace in dance instruction

Trinity Academy of Arts is a performance studio in step with the Lord.

The faith-based studio aims to educate those ages 2-18 in dance, theater and music while incorporating a religious ministry, said owner and artistic director Monica Armstrong.

The professionally trained dancer was called from God, she said, to assist Las Vegas youths and express his teachings through the arts.

"We want to help them through the arts," she said. "My mission is to give kids a physical and spiritual education."

About 75 students have been instructed in ballet, modern, tap, jazz and praise style of dance, and Trinity Academy of Arts recently moved to its own brick-and-mortar location at 2475 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 130.

"This is a space to grow," she said.

Armstrong hopes to expand her studio and style of teaching on a global level.

Armstrong's mission began in Kansas City, Kan., where she started a 35-year dance career with June Neal Dance Studio. She studied classical ballet, modern, tap, jazz and African dance training and minored in dance in college.

She also performed in concerts with the Mid-American Dance Theatre Company.

"It has always been a way to express myself," she said. "I was shy as a child, and it was a way to express myself freely. It was also fun and exciting."

Armstrong is also a Clark County School District teacher. She became active in liturgical dance at her place of worship, Victory Missionary Baptist Church, 500 W. Monroe Ave.

"I've just always loved it and wanted to share it with youth," she said.

Armstrong saw a lack of training in the young dancers she led in liturgical dance presentations, she said. She decided to form Trinity Academy of Arts in 2010.

All instruction begins and ends with prayer, she said, and dance is done to religious music. She tries to blend life applications and Bible study into instruction, too. Armstrong said her teachings are not from a strictly Baptist perspective.

Hip-hop lessons are dubbed "urban praise," and toddler courses are "wee praise."

Boys and girls are welcome to join.

In addition to lessons, Trinity Academy of Arts hosts voice lessons and choir, acting lessons and summer camp.

"This summer there were a lot of 'wow' moments," she said. "I could see the students growing and confident."

For 17-year-old Douglas Matthews, the studio was his first introduction to dance. He studies ballet and urban praise.

"Miss Monica will tell us things that will have us thinking," he said. "I'll think about it the whole time I'm dancing. I believe she has a lot in store for us."

Armstrong knows the kind of graduate she would like to produce, she said.

"My dream is for a student to graduate from here and be someone that will go into the community a viable person who gives back," she said. "I want them to be trained and prepared to be competitive in the arts but a well-rounded member of the community too."

For more information, visit trinityacademyofarts.org/, email monilynn@att.net or call 595-8145.