Artistic Ministry Educator
A Connecticut native, Stephanie Gagliardi began her formal training at the age of 13. She studied ballet at The Hartt School’s Community Dance Division (formally School of the Hartford Ballet). She has attended notable summer intensives such as Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Princeton Ballet and Ad Deum Dance Company. In 2004, she was awarded the Nora Orphanides Scholarship studying with Princeton Ballet School for two years where she performed with the American Repertory Ballet. Mrs. Gagliardi obtained her B.F.A. from the University of Hartford’s The Hartt School on merit scholarship where she graduated magna cum laude. While an undergraduate, Miguel Campaneria invited her to join the Hartt School’s Community Dance Division faculty in 2008. During this time she discovered a passion for teaching students of all ages, served as a college mentor and worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford. She has also taught for Ekklesia School of Ballet (formally Christian Academy of Dance), Eastern Connecticut Ballet and Shoreline Ballet School. A founding Company Artist, she danced professionally with Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet when it was under the ministry of Living Rock Church. She served in various other roles such as Director of Outreach, instructor, choreographer and directed rehearsals for multiple Ekklesia productions. Mrs. Gagliardi was blessed to be a part of Project Dance New York for many seasons. She has performed in original works by choreographers such as Steve Rooks, Caleb Mitchell, Jeff and Natalie Lewis, Paiter van Yperen, Elizabeth McMillan and Vincent Hardy amongst others. In 2017, she danced with Arrows International ministering throughout the Philippines and Malaysia. Under the directorship of Leyna Doran, she went on to join Ballet Hartford’s faculty in 2021. Also a yoga instructor, she received a 200 hour teaching certification through West Hartford Yoga and completed a 20 hour Trauma Informed Teacher Training Program. Stephanie gave her life to the Lord in 2012 where she met Christ at Living Rock Church in Killingworth, CT. It was there she also co-directed the youth ministry with her husband for four years. Being a part of the Arrows mission has been her dream since 2017! She is thankful for His perfect timing, honored to be a part of this spirit filled ministry and excited to see God move!