Surrendered School of Dance is the official dance school of Paradosi Ballet Company.
As as a dance school, we are different from other studios in that we go against the mainstream norm of the dance world. Our studio uses family friendly music, promotes modesty, self-worth, and inclusivity in a non-competitive professional atmosphere.
Our goal as a studio is to help each student become the best dancer that they can be and to do so in a nurturing and loving environment.
While our studio is non-competitive in nature, we challenge each student to reach their fullest potential as an artist while doing so in a healthy and safe manner.
Stylistically our primary focus is on ballet; however, we do teach masterclasses from time-to-time in different dance styles to help dancers become more well rounded in the art of dance.
Teaching Method
Surrendered School of Dance believes in instilling sound classical ballet technique principles that incorporate elements of the French, Italian, and Russian schools of training into our curriculum. While our teachers come from a wide variety of teaching syllabus such as Cecchetti, Royal Academy of Dance, Balanchine, and Vaganova, SSD does not follow the syllabus of a single teaching method. Our goal is to provide our students with a strong foundation of correct placement in classical ballet technique that will allow them to more easily add and adapt to other stylistic variations.
As a testament to our dedication of incorporating proper technique, Surrendered School of Dance’s Artistic Director, Larissa Bischoff, is an ABT® Certified Teacher. Larissa has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Pre-Primary through Level 5 classes taught by Larissa adhere to the ABT® National Training Curriculum. The AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, is a breakthrough 9 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels.
Classes not taught by Larissa remain under her oversight to ensure consistency in the level of training that students receive.
Mission
Surrendered School of Dance is an integral part of Paradosi Christian Ballet Company, a Washington based 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization. Our mission is: “Through the arts we will worship God, love people, share the gospel and make disciples of Jesus everywhere we go”.
Our vision for the school is to provide quality dance instruction while encouraging love, kindness, and joy in the world as a catalyst for positive change, developing a deeper appreciation for the arts, a heart for worship, and movements & motivations that glorify our Creator.
“Let all that you do be done in love”
Our History
Paradosi Ballet Company is the Pacific Northwest’s first professional Christian ballet company. The ministry began in 2007 with the goal of sharing the love of Jesus through dance and personal witness.
Early on we saw a need for high quality classical ballet instruction delivered in a family friendly God honoring environment. In 2009 Surrendered School of Dance opened its doors as an integral part of the organization to meet this need.
When we opened our doors we welcomed in our first students at a small studio in Edgewood. In 2011 we moved to our current large studio in Tacoma.
We have loved pouring into the lives of students and families in the communities in which we live and serve.
Throughout the years we have had satellite campuses in other parts of Tacoma, Edgewood, Orting, Auburn, and Gig Harbor. Our school has also taught in after school programs at different private and public schools in the region.
We are honored to have played a part in the development of each student that has walked through our doors. We look forward to sharing the gift of dance with new students for many years to come!
*While we are a faith-based organization, our studio is open to all in the community regardless of their beliefs.
**Please note that we use family-friendly music that sometimes includes Christian worship music in the classroom. Instructors may also at their discretion pray or share scriptures from the Christian Bible during their class time.
Any employment opportunities will be listed on Linkedin.