Meet the ministry leaders working behind the scenes to further the mission of Paradosi!
STAFF
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Jeff Bischoff
executive Director
Jeff has been a lifelong artist, entrepreneur, and devout follower of Christ. He joined Paradosi in January of 2012 as a volunteer filling needs within the ministry as the Creative Director and Director of Operations before transitioning into the position of Executive Director in 2015. While serving in a Christian ballet company is the last place that Jeff thought that he would end up, he knows that this is exactly where he is supposed to serve. All of his seemingly unrelated life experiences in the arts, business, and ministry did not make sense until he began his service with Paradosi where these skills have been put to use in one place for the glory of God. Jeff loves this ministry and seeing how the Lord uses the testimonies and artistry of its members to reach the lost through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jeff's heart is to see Paradosi being used to reach the lost, encourage believers, and to build up the next generation of artists in the hopes that they will use their gifts to glorify God. Jeff is excited for the future and seeing how the Lord will continue to use this ministry to grow His kingdom!
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Larissa Bischoff
Artistic Director
Larissa joined Paradosi Ballet Company in the Fall of 2011 as the ministries first Trainee. During her early years with the ministry she was taken under the wing of the ministries founder, Tennille Carver, who mentored and encouraged her growth as an artist, a leader, and in her spiritual walk. Over the years Larissa's passion for the Lord and using dance in ministry has only continued to grow. Even through difficult seasons, injuries, and heartache God continued to develop Larissa as a leader and used her to serve in various capacities within the ministry first as the Trainee Rehearsal Director, then Discipleship Director, and for a season as the Trainee Director.
In the Fall of 2018, the board appointed Larissa as the ministries Director where she continues to pour into the lives of those in her care. Larissa's heart in serving as the Director is to draw out the gifts and talents of the members of the ministry so that they may grow those gifts and use them for the glory of God in order that they may reach more for Him!
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Tabi Spurlin
Ballet Mistress
& School principal
Tabitha joined Paradosi in the Fall of 2011 and has played a key role in the ongoing operation of the ministry ever since. During Tabi's time with the ministry she has put on many hats from serving as our School Principal, Trainee Director, one of our key choreographers, and now as our Ballet Mistress. Tabi has poured countless hours into the ministry, our trainees, and students helping them to develop the skills necessary to become beautiful artist while nurturing their relationships with the Lord. Tabi is a blessing to us all and we could not be where we are as a ministry without her passion and dedication to what we are called to do for the Christ!
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Annie Dick
FACULTY
Annie was raised in San Antonio, Texas where she studied under the direction of Joseph and Laura Villalobos at Ballet San Antonio Academy and later as a trainee with the Montgomery Ballet. Dancing had been a lifelong passion for Annie but after attending a Ballet Magnificat summer dance intensive she felt a call to use dance in ministry. Annie auditioned for Paradosi in the Spring of 2017 and was thrilled to be accepted into the trainee program for the Fall of 2017. After a year in the trainee program Annie was offered a position as an Apprentice with the touring company and a year later was promoted to Company Artist. Annie is so thankful to be able to use her dancing to serve her King and to partner with Him in His work. Annie feels privileged to be able to praise His name with dancing and to declare His truth boldly to the world!
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Amanda Moore
FACULTY
Amanda began dancing at age 7 at Cedar Arts in Upstate, NY. From there she trained at various schools and received her professional training under Cindy Reid at The Ballet Center of Ithaca and Rafael Grigorian at Rafael Grigorian School of Classical Ballet. During these years she developed a strong love for classical ballet and had the opportunity to dance leads roles in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Esmeralda. For three seasons Amanda performed with a local Christian ballet company and had the opportunity to dance in Christ centered ballets in local churches, schools, and retirement homes. It was during this time that Amanda first experienced ballet as a ministry and fell in love with the idea of leading others to Christ through the. art form, as well as using dance to worship her Savior. Amanda auditioned for Paradosi Ballet Company in the Spring of 2018 and trained for two seasons before stepping out of dancing to take on teaching positions.
