Founding Director
Stacy Steyaert
Stacy Steyaert (she/her) specializes in arts experiences for ages 0-10, and firmly believes that play is the heart and driving force of all learning for the young. She has received local, national, and international recognition for her work and arts advocacy, including a Presidential Citation from American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) and honors as a Steering Committee member of the inaugural American Theatre for the Very Young Digital Festival. Stacy has also mentored drama instructors and aspiring educators across the world, most notably working with educators from America, Canada, China, India, and Turkey. Prior to founding Soaring Starts, Stacy worked as the Early Childhood Program Coordinator at Imagination Stage, overseeing 20+ classes a semester, mentoring hundreds of artists and school educators, and teaching thousands of students in the DC area. Her work has also been seen at institutions such as Adventure Theatre MTC and Chicago Children's Theatre, spanning over a decade's worth of experience in teaching and program administration across the Denver, Chicago, Hartford, and DC Metro areas. She holds a M.Ed in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, and a BFA in Theatre Management from DePaul University. Now also a proud Arlington mom, Stacy founded Soaring Starts Early Learning & Arts in early 2021.
Faculty & Staff
V Cangelosi - Assistant Manager
V Cangelosi (she/they) has been working with children in recreational & educational settings for over a decade. With a BFA in Dance from Shenandoah University, V brings a unique, movement-based approach to arts integration in early education. She has been teaching dance classes for students of all ages for seven years, & she encourages an intellectual approach to movement fostering a lifelong mind-body connection. V is working towards a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration. When she is not working or studying, you’ll likely find her taking a dance class, performing with Conflux Dance Theater, or making delicious food for her family & friends.
Jamie Borris - Education Program Specialist
Jamie Borris (she/her) is overjoyed to be on the Soaring Starts faculty, and while this is her first formal teaching position, Jamie has been working and volunteering with young children since she was 10. Jamie loves watching kids' faces light up when they connect with an activity or concept. When not brainstorming fun new activities, you might catch Jamie at a photoshoot or on a runway as a fashion model, and she also likes to cook, bake, and pet sit in her spare time.
Teaching Artists
Kelsey Brown, Liv Dinter, Leigh Lolos, Madeleine Barry, Stania Shaw
Founders Circle
Soaring Starts would like to thank the below individuals for going above and beyond for us as we strengthened and solidified our organization in our inaugural year. We are forever grateful for the support and guidance this compensated committee of educators, advocates, and business professionals provided for us, and we cannot wait to show you just how far we will soar next.