We had the good fortune of connecting with Morgan Louvier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Morgan, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My business partner Joanie and I had created a small aerial community in Flagstaff, and really enjoyed working together! We both feel rewarded by creating a space for anyone of any background to learn how to fly and use their body in ways that are beautifully challenging. We decided to create Momentum Aerial, and it has grown into something large and wonderful that serves over 400 members of the Flagstaff community each week!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Aerial is a blend of art, dance and physical sport. We call it a “spart”! At Momentum Aerial, what sets us apart from other aerial studios is our progressive, nurturing curriculum. We have carefully crafted building blocks for aerial skills, endurance and artistry so that our students are set up for success right from their first class. Our students are nurtured to keep their bodies healthy by working on strength and endurance, as well as challenge their brains with wrap theory, sequences of skills and understand of basic physics in aerial. It’s a full body/brain workout!

Momentum is where it is today because of our community. We’ve had constant support from our students and parents of students that take the form of volunteering to build out our studios, to donations to our scholarship programs for underserved communities in Flagstaff. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we received nearly daily emails and phone calls asking when we would re-open, and how folks could support us to ensure that we do. We’re really created something special that Flagstaff residents love and enjoy so much.

To us, aerial arts isn’t about throwing big tricks or skills, or showing off, it’s about bringing an activity to our community that fosters health in the minds and bodies of the students we love so much.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m an outside girl, and love to show off the natrual beauty of Northern Arizona. This would be an adventure trip!

Day 1: Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monument. I love to learn and explore about the geology and ancestral native history of the area! The frozen lava flows are unlike any I’ve ever seen before, except in Hawaii. If it’s a full moon, I’d take them on the downhill full moon bike ride through the monument.
Day 2: Grand Canyon, hike down Bright Angel trail to Indian Gardens and back (8 miles round trip). I have so much knowledge of the Grand Canyon as a river guide! Stay at the cabins right on the rim of the canyon.
Day 3: Head back to Flagstaff, have a chill day downtown. I love eating and having a drink at the Annex, and walking around to the downtown shops. If there’s a live band playing, we’ll be heading there!
Day 4: Paddleboarding at East Clear Creek in Winslow. I love cliff jumping and swimming, and it’s awesome to check out the petroglyphs!
Day 5: Sedona hiking: love the Hangover trail, it’s one of my favorites!
Day 6: Overnight camping trip: Blue Ridge Reservoir and hiking around there
Day 7: Come back to Flagstaff to go thrift shopping!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Joanie my business partner deserves a shoutout; without her, Momentum would not be possible! Her brain complements my brain, and together we make an unstoppable team. Thank you for making me a better aerialist, teacher and person.

Without my trapeze instructor Dylan Phillips, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Dylan was an amazing mentor in my youth and teen years, and has always believed in me and encouraged me to go for my dreams. He and trapeze were a huge part of my childhood and young adulthood, and without his patience, support and talent as a teacher, my life would be very different..

Website: momentumaerial.org

Instagram: @momentumaerialarts

Facebook: Momentum Aerial

Other: If you’re interested in classes or hiring Momentum aerialists for events, please reach out to us at info@momentumaerial.org.

Image Credits
Gean Shanks Michelle Badger Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.