Paradosi Christian Ballet was founded in 2007 by Joel and Tennille Carver with the goal of sharing the love of Jesus through dance and personal witness. Before founding Paradosi, Joel and Tennille Carver served with Ballet Magnificat, the world’s first Christian ballet company based in Jackson, Mississippi.

During her time there, Tennille was blessed to be mentored by Director Kathy Thibodeaux, founder of Ballet Magnificat. After three years of training and dancing with the company, Tennille transitioned into a teaching role within the ministry’s School of the Arts. She went on to help develop Ballet Magnificat’s Trainee Program, mentoring over thirty college-aged students while also serving as the Director of Ballet Magnificat II for six years.

After a decade of faithful service in that ministry, Joel and Tennille felt God calling them back to the Pacific Northwest, where they were both born and raised. With a deep passion for the region, the arts, and most importantly their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they began the process of forming a new ministry. After two years of preparation, prayer, counsel, and recruiting, Paradosi Christian Ballet was born in May of 2007.

In its first year, Paradosi welcomed dancers from across the United States who shared the Carvers’ heart for worship, discipleship, and evangelism through the arts. As the ministry grew, so did its vision. With new talent and resources coming alongside the mission, Paradosi launched a School of the Arts as a local outreach to the youth in the local community and a Christian ballet trainee program designed to mentor, disciple, and equip the next generation of dancers to glorify God through worshipful movement.

After eight years of faithful leadership with Paradosi, the Lord led Joel and Tennille to step back from their roles as directors to focus on their growing family. They entrusted the ministry to the next generation of leaders believing God would continue to grow and guide Paradosi in the years to come. Today, the Carvers remain close friends and trusted advisors to the ministry, continuing to support and cheer on the work of sharing the love of Jesus through dance.