Learn More About Our Teachers & Staff

Larissa began her ballet journey at the age of three in Eugene, Oregon. After high school, she auditioned for Paradosi Ballet Company and was thrilled to be accepted as their first Trainee Dancer in 2010. From 2011 to 2021, Larissa served as a performing artist with Paradosi, before retiring from dancing to focus on leading the organization. During her time with Paradosi, she held various roles, including Company Artist, Trainee Director, Choreographer, and  is currently serving as the Artistic Director for both the Paradosi Ballet Company and Surrendered School of Dance.

Larissa has taught ballet in Surrendered School of Dance since 2012 as well as master dance classes across the US and in Europe through Paradosi. She has also taught ballet in the public school system as a ballet instructor for the Orting High School.

Larissa is an American Ballet Theatre ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also a Certified Teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique® (PBT) Junior through Advanced – Levels 1, 2, & 3. In addition she has completed the Boston Ballet • Adaptive Dance Teacher Training Program.

Haley started dancing when she was just four years old at The British Dancing Academy in Kent, Washington where she successfully completed ten RAD examinations.  Following her high school graduation, she pursued further dance training at Surrendered School of Dance and subsequently joined Paradosi Ballet Company’s Apprentice Program. 

After high school, she kept dancing at Surrendered School of Dance and then joined Paradosi Ballet Company’s Apprentice Program. Presently, Haley holds the position of Company Artist with Paradosi Ballet and is so grateful to be able to share her love and knowledge of dance with the next generation of dancers by teaching at SSD.   

Haley has successfully completed the Boston Ballet • Adaptive Dance Teacher Training Program.

Emmy grew up in Orting, Washington, and started pursuing ballet at the age of nine with Surrendered School of Dance. Once she started taking classes she instantly fell in love with ballet.  Some of her earliest memories are of seeing the dancers of Paradosi Ballet Company at her church, and she knew that is what she wanted to do someday. 

After high school, Emmy auditioned for Paradosi Ballet Company and was accepted into the Apprentice Program where she continued to grow as a dancer and in her teaching abilities. After serving with the ministry for a few seasons, Emmy is now fully focused on training the next generation of dancers to develop their gifts in ballet! 

EmmaLeah began taking ballet classes with Surrendered School of Dance at a young age. She diligently progressed through all of SSD’s instructional levels before graduating from high school in 2020. Following her high school graduation, EmmaLeah auditioned and was accepted into Paradosi Ballet Company’s Apprentice Program. 

Currently EmmaLeah, serves as a Company Artist and Répétiteur with the ministry.  EmmaLeah is thrilled to be part of our SSD family and to impart the knowledge she has acquired to aspiring dancers.

Cambria began her ballet training at the age of eleven with Surrendered School of Dance. From the very beginning, she knew ballet was what she wanted to do with her life. She dedicated herself fully to her training, climbing the ranks while also serving as a Teacher Assistant. This experience as a TA gave her valuable insights into SSD’s teaching methods. Following her high school graduation, Cambria auditioned for Paradosi and was accepted into Paradosi’s Apprentice Program. 

Currently, Cambria holds the position of Company Artist with Paradosi and also shares her expertise as an instructor with SSD.

At the age of three, Hannah began her dance training at the Christian Performing Arts Center in Northridge, California. She loved dancing and training in an encouraging and worshipful environment that her studio provided for their students. In this school Hannah was presented with opportunities to use dance as a ministry tool and at the age of fifteen she began teaching classes.

During her teenage years, God put the desire on her heart to serve Him with her dancing instead of using it for her own personal gain. This transformative experience deepened her love for dance even more and in a much deeper and purer way that she had ever known.  After high school she auditioned for and was welcomed into Paradosi’s Apprentice Program and currently serves as a Company Artist with the ministry.

Brooke grew up dancing at Junction City School of Dance and Hosanna Dance in Eugene, Oregon, which are both Christian dance studios. As a student, she was encouraged to use her dancing to worship God. After graduating high school, Brooke auditioned for and was accepted into the Paradosi Ballet’s Apprentice Program and now serves as a Company Artist with the ministry.

Brooke is thrilled to see the dreams God put in her heart years ago come true and to share her knowledge with the next generation.

Brooke is a Level 1 Certified Teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique® (PBT) Junior through Advanced.

Marissa grew up in the Central Valley of California in the town of Tracy. She started dancing at the age of nine at SonDance Christian Dance School where she immersed herself in the Cecchetti Method of classical ballet and various other dance disciplines. She soon fell in love with ballet and the freedom of expression it opened up for her.

Marissa joined Paradosi Ballet Company as a trainee during the 2018-2020 seasons. In 2020, during the pandemic, she moved back to California to be with her family and joined Anastasis Christian Ballet located near her hometown. While away from Washington, she felt God calling her back to the Pacific Northwest and in 2024, an opportunity came for her to return to Paradosi Ballet Company and teach with SSD.

Teacher Assistants and Substitute Instructors