Learn More About Our Teachers & Staff

Larissa started her dance training at the age of three in Eugene, Oregon. After high-school, Larissa auditioned for Paradosi Ballet Company and was accepted into the ministry as Paradosi’s first Trainee Dancer in 2010. Larissa served as a performing artist with Paradosi from 2011 through 2021 before retiring from dancing to focus on leading the organization. During Larissa’s tenure with Paradosi, she served as a Company Artist, Trainee Director, Choreographer, and now serves as the Artistic Director for both 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 Orting High School.

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

Haley began her dance training when she was four years-old at The British Dancing Academy in Kent, Washington where she completed ten-RAD examinations. After graduating from high school, she continued her dance training at Surrendered School of Dance followed by Paradosi Ballet Company’s Apprentice Program. Haley currently serves as a Company Artist with Paradosi and is so thankful to be able to continue sharing her love and knowledge of dance with the next generation of dancers through teaching with SSD.  

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

Emmy grew up in Orting, Washington and started pursuing ballet with Surrendered School of Dance at the age of nine and quickly fell in love with the artform. Some Emmy’s earliest memories are of seeing the dancers of Paradosi Ballet Company dancing in worship at her church and how she knew that this was 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 invested into training up the next generation to develop their gifts in dance!

EmmaLeah began taking ballet classes with Surrendered School of Dance at an early age. She worked her way up through all of SSD’s levels of instruction before graduating from High School. After High School in 2020, EmmaLeah auditioned for and was accepted into Paradosi Ballet Company where she currently serves as a Company Artist and Répétiteur. EmmaLeah is excited to continue to be a part of our SSD family and to share the skills that she has learned with new dancers.

Cambria started her ballet training at the age of eleven at Surrendered School of Dance. After starting her training, Cambria new that Ballet was what she wanted to do with her life. She poured herself into her classes rising through the levels while serving as a Teacher Assistant which helped her to gain valuable knowledge in SSD’s teaching techniques. After graduating high school, Cambria auditioned for Paradosi and was accepted into Paradosi’s Apprentice Program. Cambria now serves as a Company Artist with Paradosi and an instructor with SSD.

Hannah began dancing at the age of three at 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.

It was during her teen years when God put the desire on her heart to serve Him with her dancing instead of using it for her own personal gain. After this revelation she began to love dance even more and in a much deeper and purer way than she had ever known. Hannah currently serves as a Company Artist with Paradosi and teacher at SSD.

Brooke grew up dancing at Junction City School of Dance and Hosanna Dance in Eugene, Oregon. As a student, she was encouraged in her training to worship God through her dancing. After graduating high school, Brooke auditioned for and was accepted into the Paradosi Ballet trainee program and now serves as a Company Artist with the ministry. Brooke is so excited to see the dreams that the Lord planted in her heart years ago come to fruition and to be able to share her knowledge with the next generation.

Brooke is also 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 age nine, at Sondance Christian Dance School. While there, she received training in The Cecchetti Method of classical ballet as well as various other styles of dance. She soon fell in love with the art form of dance 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 Marissa moved back to California to be with her family and joined Anastasis Christian Ballet. While away from Washington, Marissa felt God tugging at her heart to return to the Pacific Northwest and in 2024 an opportunity opened for her to return to Paradosi Ballet Company and to teach with SSD.

Teacher Assistants and Substitue Instructors