Breaking it down for Jesus
Liberty’s dance team D-Trex shares its heart for ministry on and off campus
Dance it out — The group performs at on-campus events such as basketball games.
Photo Credit: Jessie Rogers
Coffeehouse featured many Liberty University students indulging in the nostalgia of the 2000s, including a campus favorite, D-Trex.
They performed the most popular hip hop and R&B hits from the 2000s while showcasing their upbeat, choreographed dance moves.
According to the team’s captains Shania Thorpe and Kiara Harris, Coffeehouse was exciting and filled with energy.
“It’s like you work really hard at something, and then you’re up there with your friends, and you’re just jamming,” Harris said.
According to Thorpe, the audience’s reaction played a large part in making the experience memorable.
“We want to make sure the audience loves it, not just us,” Thorpe said.
Although the performance appeared successful, Thorpe admitted that Coffeehouse is not the priority.
“All (the students) know about us is Coffeehouse,” Thorpe said.
“But ministry is what we focus on before anything.”
According to the captains of the team, D-Trex means “Death to Resurrection.”
Church events, block parties and other ministry events are what fill D-Trex’s schedule.
The team sets a theme and verse every year with a set choreographed dance everywhere they go minister to others. This semester’s theme was royalty.
D-Trex also travels around the local area and as far as Philadelphia for their ministry.
They even have a Bible study on campus Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.
“Our main focus is spreading God’s word through hip hop,” Thorpe said.
“Hip hop is seen as so secular now, and we wanna reclaim that in God’s name. You can dance hip hop without it having to be how it is seen today.”
Fancy feet— D-Trex performs their choreographed hip hop dances as a form of ministry.
Photo Credit: Michela Diddle
While being involved in the group, both Thorpe and Harris have felt a huge impact in their personal lives.
According to Harris, D-Trex has shaped her into becoming the person she is today.
“I’ve grown into a better person,” Harris said.
“It’s helped me become more secure in who I am.”
Not only have members grown, but Thorpe said the talent and quality of the team has grown over time as well, leading more people to notice the group.
“There’s a huge difference,” Harris said.
“Time has allowed the dance team to grow as a team and as dancers.”
About 30 people are involved with D-Trex, consisting mainly of dancers and people who help with other aspects such as social media.
According to Thorpe, former members still stick around to help out as well, since the members have become like one big family.
Memories of staying up late laughing, performing together and doing the “running man challenge” in the city of Philadelphia are just a few of the special moments they
made together.
“We fight like family — we love like family,” Thorpe said.
“But the door is always open — we welcome anyone.”
D-Trex has tryouts at the beginning of every semester, and anyone is welcome to try out.
They will also be performing on campus at the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall April 19 for Chicago Day.
To stay up to date with what D-Trex is doing next, follow them on Instagram at
@dtrexdancecrew
Hernandez is a feature reporter.