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Our Staff

corey schwarz

Corey
Schwarz

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kristin pastoriza

Kristin
Pastoriza

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Claire
Brewer

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nikki torres

Nicki
Torres

Bio Coming Soon
Shannon Holliway

Shannon Holliway

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sarah shogren

Sarah
Shogren

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Hannah Tankerley

Hannah
Tankerley

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Lauren Duty

Lauren
Duty

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Mariesa Genzale

Mariesa
Genzale

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Raelynn
Fleischer

Bio Coming Soon
eric ankrim

Eric
Ankrim

Bio Coming Soon
Sanna Luoma

Sanna
Luoma

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Ridge Location:
8104 Bracken Pl SE
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
425-292-3342

Downtown Location:
7695 Railroad Place SE,
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
425-292-3342

©2018 Big Star Studios. All rights reserved.
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COREY SCHWARZ

OWNER & PROGRAM DIRECTOR

BIO COMING SOON!

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KRISTIN PASTORIZA

PROGRAM MANAGER

EXPERT IN: OFFICE MANAGEMENT, BOOKKEEPING, REGISTRATION, PRIVATE LESSON SCHEDULING & CUSTOMER SERVICE
Hometown: Pelham, NY
Most Memorable Gig: I was a student at the School of American Ballet in New York City where I performed in the New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker Suite with Peter Boal (current Artistic Director for PNB) and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Peter was the child Prince, I was a soldier and Baryshnikov was the Cavalier – the star of the show. I bumped into Baryshnikov in the elevator and promptly realized I was taller than he was! I was 10 years old.
Career Highlights: My career as a professional dancer never hit the pavement; instead I graduated from Kenyon College where I met my husband Hugh. We moved to the Seattle area in 1992 and settled in Snoqualmie Valley in 1995 where we enjoy living close to the mountains. It was always a goal to live where there are more trees than people. My passion for ballet and musical theater has lead me to fundraising and becoming a member of the Board of Directors for Pacific Northwest Ballet. I am proud to have raised over $200,000 for scholarship students during the 8 years that I have been involved with PNB STARS. I have also loved being a coach for the Mount Si Lacrosse Club Youth Boys teams from 2011-2018.
My Journey to Big Star: After 10 years in the video production and software manufacturing industry, I became a stay-at-home mom when our boys were very little. Corey & Kathy asked me to join the team at REACH Eastside Performing Arts as the office manager. When REACH closed their doors, there were 25 kids in the musical theater program that REALLY wanted to continue taking classes, and Big Star Studios was born! I am proud to have helped the company as a start-up in 2011.
My Mission: It is my goal to provide a nurturing environment for teachers and students. I love seeing the kids in Snoqualmie Valley and beyond performing, gaining confidence, and learning so much about themselves through our fantastic programming.

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Clarie Brewer

Little Stars Preschool, Visual Art + Set Design

Expert In: Art Education, Reggio Emilia practices, carpentry, printmaking, surface design

Most Memorable Gig:  As a resolute introvert, I don't have a long history of "gigs" per se, though I do play cello in the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra. I've been fortunate to work on a number of memorable projects including designing and building an immersive quiet play space at the Mercer Island Community Center inspired by the local wetlands and its resident frogs and friends. 

Career Highlights: Group and solo gallery shows, inventing a new surface design technique, having that technique and, separately, a few of my prints published. I also worked at a hands-on arts and science camp centered around the marine life of the Puget Sound.

My Journey to Teaching: I love teaching! I've worked with kids since I was a kid myself. I even started my college career on an art education path, but the lure of art studios proved too exciting. Once I had children of my own, I had the privelege to work in the art room at my son's cooperative preschool. The dedicated teachers there reignited my passion for education and I've been developing and leading art lessons at elementary schools ever since. Now, I'm thrilled to be a part of the Big Star Family and to work with my teaching partner, Jillian, to bring adventurous creativity and imaginative exploration to our Little Stars friends and beyond! There truly is nothing more fascinating or rewarding than supporting the self-directed work of young minds. 

My Mission: First and foremost, my mission is to foster and engage the natural curiosity that is so vibrant in children. But I have a sneaky, second mission and that is to engage young introverts in the fine and performing arts. I grew up as the shy black sheep of a theater/ performance family. Building sets and costumes, lurking backstage and hiding in orchestra pits gave me an incredible sense of belonging and pride in my outcast self and in my backstage work. Whether a child seeks the spotlight, or has never, and will never, set foot on a stage I truly believe in the rich, engaging, inclusivity of the arts. 

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SHANNON HOLLIWAY

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Hometown: Issaquah, Washington
Most Memorable Teaching Moment: Some of my most memorable teaching experiences are observing and engaging with students and seeing new ideas happen which are not planned. 
My Journey to Teaching: My greatest accomplishment in life has been raising my three amazing children. I have spent many hours in their classrooms volunteering and working with teachers.  My volunteer work over the years has consistently led me to caring for children.  Working with children brings me great joy and I love to watch them grow.
My Mission: I am committed to providing my students a welcoming, happy, safe, and supportive environment.  I want my students to know that they can achieve anything that they put their mind to.  I will help my students to become independent thinkers and develop a love for learning.  I will encourage them to try new and exciting things and give them a solid foundation to build on. 

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SARAH SHOGREN

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Hometown: Libby, MT
Most Memorable Teaching Moment: My most memorable teaching moment is not one specific event, but it is all the times I’ve seen the light bulb turn on for a student.  All the “ah ha” moments!
My Journey to Teaching: I just always knew that’s what I wanted to do. :)
My Mission: To create an environment that is student-centered, self-guided and rich with experimental learning in a relationship-driven environment.

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MARIESA GENZALE

ACTING, CHOREOGRAPHY, COSTUME DESIGN

Mariesa is an actor, choreographer, and costume designer who is thrilled to join the Little Stars family! After spending her early childhood as a ballet dancer, she fell in love with musicals and began performing at several youth theatre’s around Washington. She then attended Marymount Manhattan College and received her BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. Her performing credits include working with Reboot Theatre Company, SecondStory Repertory, Bainbridge Performing Arts, and Sound Theatre Company. Mariesa comes from a big family and has always loved kids. She worked as a nanny throughout college, and always imagined she’d one day be a teacher. She loves sharing the magic of theatre with her students, and knows how healing and beautiful it can be!
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SANNA LUOMA

My name is Sanna Luoma and I am beyond excited to be a part of the Little Stars community!

Previously I have been teaching at the Forest School at the Arboretum in Seattle and Boys and Girls Club in Bellevue. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Helsinki in Finland. I am passionate about early education and absolutely love teaching young children. In my free time I like adventuring the gorgeous Pacific North West, hiking and mountain biking. I live in Issaquah with my husband, two teenage daughters and a Border Collie named Mr H.