Imij Armstead, affectionately named by her parents after Jimi Hendrix (her first name is “Jimi” spelled backward), has become a vibrant force in the Boothbay Region’s thriving performing arts community. At just 18, she has already established herself as both a versatile performer and a dedicated instructor.

Imij’s journey began when she was just six years old in the first grade and faced with participating in a school talent show. Despite her extreme shyness, Imij surprised her parents, Christopher and Gretchen Armstead, by eagerly choosing to sing “Let It Go” from "Frozen," and nailing the audition. They recently shared that at a young age, she appeared to have what they call the “Beyoncé effect.” They said, “she was incredibly shy, but as soon as she had a microphone in her hand, she transformed into a performer.” After her first show, Imij appeared in a school play, where teachers thought they should place her near the edge of the stage “just in case.” It turned out they had nothing to worry about.

After moving to the Boothbay Region from Texas at age nine, Imij found her artistic home with the Y-Arts program. She began with dance classes and later joined a winter production of "Elf the Musical JR." When the COVID-19 pandemic paused in-person learning, Y-Arts Director Emily Mirable pivoted to Zoom, creating imaginative virtual lessons that kept students engaged. One standout memory for Imij was a class-wide “Hannah Montana Ice Cream Freeze” performance, an example of the creativity that sustained her passion during an uncertain time. Imij says, “Emily asked all of us to submit a short video of a dance and then she spliced it all together, almost like we were all in person in the studio. It made us feel connected, even though we all had to be apart.”

When in-person classes resumed, Imij was invited to join the Y-Arts competition team. Mirabile said, "Imij was a wonderful addition to our team. She is a hard worker, and I knew she would fit in well with the group." Over time, Imij continued as a strong contributor, attending both Junior Theater Festivals (JTF) in Sacramento and Atlanta.

After graduating from high school, Imij auditioned for the JTF International All-Star Program. As one of only six U.S. teenagers, she joined 30 performers from around the world, and traveled to New York City for an intensive week of training, including Broadway masterclasses and eight-hour rehearsal days. The experience culminated in an original performance at JTF Atlanta, where her group earned the “Excellence in Music” award. “I enjoyed meeting different people from all around the world,” says Imij, “and the choreographer, Leo Gonzalez, was really creative.”

Imij’s talents extend well beyond the stage. At the age of 14, Imij began volunteering as an assistant teacher alongside Emily in a variety of Y-Arts dance programs. "Imij has grown, not only as a performer, but as a mentor to our younger generation of performers,” says Mirable. “She has a gentle approach to teaching which works particularly well with our younger students." Imij has now come full circle and as a young adult is leading multiple classes, including Itty Bitty Ballet, Itty Bitty Tap, Beginner Ballet, and Musical Theater Dance. Her growth from assistant to lead instructor reflects both her skill and her commitment to mentoring the next generation.

At the same time, Imij is enrolled at the Aveda Cosmetology School in Augusta, using the time as a purposeful gap year before college. She plans to pursue a degree in musical theater and views her cosmetology training as a practical way to support her long-term goals. Even before going to school, Imij has been creative about using makeup to help her fellow thespians really sparkle during their performances. Looking ahead, Imij is preparing for three performances this spring and summer, continuing to build momentum in a career that shows no signs of slowing.

Imij Armstead’s journey speaks not only to her own talent and determination, but also to the power of a community that believes in its young people. Through Y-Arts, she found a creative home where her confidence could grow alongside her abilities, giving her the support and foundation to pursue even bigger dreams. As Imij steps into her next chapter, her story is a reminder that in a community like ours, programs that nurture talent can help young people move forward with courage, purpose, and possibility.