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 by utilizing family friendly music, promoting modesty, self-worth, and inclusivity in a non-competitive yet professional atmosphere.
As a studio, our primary focus is on ballet; however, we do teach additional masterclasses from time-to-time in styles such as contemporary and modern to help dancers become more well rounded in the art of dance.
We strive to help students to become the best dancer that they can be while doing 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.
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. By building a clean, unaffected technique students are more versatile and able to move between styles and genres more easily.
As a testament to our dedication to incorporating proper technique, Surrendered School of Dance is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, 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. Surrendered School of Dance’s Artistic Director, Larissa Bischoff, is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who 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.
Classes not taught by Larissa remain under her oversight to ensure consistency in the level of training that students receive.
Our Mission
The mission of Surrendered School of Dance is to provide quality dance instruction for every student while encouraging more love, kindness, and joy in the world as a catalyst for positive change, developing a deeper appreciation for the performing arts, and encouraging movements and motivations that glorify our Creator.
“Do All Things With Love”
1 Corinthians 16:14
Our History
Surrendered School of Dance operates as an integral part of Paradosi Ballet Company,* a Washington State based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Paradosi Ballet Company is the Pacific Northwest’s first professional Christian ballet company that was founded in 2007 with the goal of sharing the love of God through dance, drama and personal witness.
Early in the history of the organization, we saw a need for high quality classical ballet instruction delivered in a nurturing, family friendly, age appropriate manner in the Pacific Northwest. In 2009 Surrendered School of Dance was formed to meet these objectives and we welcomed in our first students at a small studio in Edgewood. In 2011 we moved Paradosi Ballet Company’s 7,000 square foot studio in Tacoma equipped with sprung floors and full-length mirrors creating an ideal space for advanced ballet instruction.
Over the past decade 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 operated satellite campuses in Tacoma, Edgewood, Orting, Auburn, Gig Harbor as well as teaching after school programs at different private and public schools in the South Sound.
We are honored to have played a part in the development as a dancer of each student that has walked through our doors and we look forward to sharing the gift of dance with new students for many years to come!
*While our parent organization is a faith-based organization, our studio is open to all in the community regardless of their beliefs. Any employment opportunities will be listed on Linkedin.
**Please note that we use family-friendly music that sometimes includes Christian music in the classroom and recital dances. Instructors may also at their discretion pray at the beginning of class.