Trainee Apprentices are students in Paradosi Ballet's Apprenticeship Program.  

Paradosi's apprenticeship program is a fully immersive professional ballet ministry training program.  Dancers who commit to the program will experience continuous growth as artists and in their spiritual journey.  Our program combines intensive ballet and ministry training that will be put to use while you lead passionate worship and outreach events that are  glorifying to God while leading others to Him.

Touring and performance opportunities with Paradosi Ballet will be by invitation only and at the discretion of the Artistic Director. 

As students, Trainee-Apprentices pay monthly tuition.  Apprentices commit to a 10-month formal training seasons each touring season from September through June or the end of Paradosi's Summer Dance Intensive; whichever is later. 

Senior Apprentice positions are open to dancers who have either completed Paradosi's Trainee Apprentice Program, have come from another Christian dance ministry, or have had a dance career with a professional  company.*  

All dancers regardless of their training and dance background must serve a minimum of one year as a Senior Apprentice to be considered for Company Artist positions.  The season spent as a Senior Apprentice  is an opportunity  for dancers to continue being  refined as an artist while being equipped for the work of ministry.  This is an essential time of discovery and learning for dancers to see if Paradosi is a right fit for you and if you are a right fit  for us.  We want you to serve where God is calling you to serve whether that is with us  or someplace else and this takes time to know. 

Senior Apprentices may perform, tour, and minister in both the US and internationally by invitation of the Artistic Director.

Senior Apprentices are full-time volunteers with the ministry but will have some of their ministry related expenses paid for while serving.   Senior Apprentices do not pay tuition.

*In some circumstances, even with previous dance or ministry experience or qualifications, a dancer may be asked to train in Paradosi's Apprenticeship Program.

A Company Artist in Paradosi has served as a Senior Apprentice for a minimum of 1-year demonstrating a consistency in artistry and their embodiment of the ministries values. 

Company Artists receive a minimal monthly allowance as they serve with the ministry but will still need to raise additional funds to support themselves while they serve in ministry much like a traditional missionary.    Company Artists will have some allowed ministry released expenses paid for while serving.    

Company Artists perform, tour, and minister in both the US and internationally.

Washington is a beautiful state surrounded by water, forests, mountains, ocean beaches, islands, small coastal towns, and large cities all within a 20-minute to 2-hour drive from our studio.   Even the majestic Mt. Rainier is only a 2-hour drive away and on clear days it stands high above the tree line with an unobstructed view from our studio doors.  

Tacoma, where we are located, is in a major revitalization stage with an updated downtown, lots of new shops and restaurants, beautiful parks, and a lively waterfront.  Washington has lots to offer and many of our former dancers have made Washington their home after retiring from dance.  We encourage you to come in person and to check out the community for yourself!

Local Travel Guide: TRAVELTACOMA.COM

Most of the dancers in the ministry live with one to five dancers in apartments or houses.  Living with other dancers provides for a lower cost of living, accountability, and room for lifelong friendships to grow.  

For many of our dancers this will be their first time living away from home.  This is a wonderful season of life where dancers develop deep and lasting friendships while learning how to live with other people outside of their family.   

After auditions if you are accepted into the ministry for the following season, we will connect you with other dancers in the ministry who are moving to the state or who are already here but looking for new housing.  We suggest that dancers move to Washington in late July to no later than mid-August to allow time to get settled, find employment if needed, and to explore their new home! 

Dancers train with the ministry Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 3:00pm.  

A typical day is as follows:

• Devotions
• Warm up
• Technique Class
• Lunch
• Rehearsals

Additional classes taught during a typical week may include:

• Pointe
• Contemporary
• Gospel Focused Ministry Training from the Director's of Paradosi and through our cohort with Western Seminary.  (Sample Areas of Study: Evangelism, Prayer Ministry, Intercultural Ministry, The Gospel, Foundations in Theology, etc.)

During a normal season Paradosi will share 40 to 60 programs at churches, schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homeless shelter, fairs, festivals, and other events. 

Local Outreach

Most of our local outreach programs, but not always, occur during the day during normal studio time. If there will be an evening or weekend opportunity, dancers are given notice to request time off of any outside jobs where they may work.    

US Tours

When Paradosi tours in the U.S., the schedule changes every day.  Dancers may be sharing at a school in the morning and teaching master classes at night or start the morning sharing during AM worship services in one city then travel to another city to share a stand alone outreach event that night. 

Joining God in His work on tour is fun, exhilarating, and challenging!!  Expect long travel days followed by lots of interaction with hosts, late nights, early mornings, long and short drive days, technique class and rehearsals at odd times and in unconventional locations.  Touring and sharing God's love and hope on the road is one of our favorite things to do!

Inertnational Tours

Since 2010 Paradosi has embarked on International Tours in Europe.  While on tour we partner with local churches, missionaries, and other missional organizations to share the love and hope of Jesus!   

Dancers will have breaks throughout the season but dates are often subject to change based upon program and tour schedules.  

Typically Dancers will have the following breaks:

• Christmas Break: 2 to 3 Weeks
• Spring Break: 1 Week
• Summer Break: 14 to 60 days. Summer Breaks are determined by Paradosi's Summer Dance Intensive Schedule and International Outreach Tours.  Dancers will know their summer break by the middle of May each year. 

Additional Breaks: 

• Thanksgiving: This changes every year based upon our December Christmas Outreach Program Schedule.  Thanksgiving break may be only one day on up to having a full week off. 
• 3 & 4 Day Weekends: Will be scheduled throughout the year. 
• Additional breaks may be added.

Through the arts we will

Worship God, Love People, Share the Gospel, and Make Disciples of Jesus Everywhere We Go!

• We will use dance as a ministry tool to reach those who do not know Jesus
  
• We will use dance as a ministry tool to uplift believers and to remind them of the beauty of God and His love for them
• We will use dance as a ministry tool to teach and reach the young helping them to grow in their relationship with God and to use their gifts to glorify the Lord

As a Christian ministry we agree with the historic Apostles' Creed of the Christian Church.  We believe that this statement is in accordance with the teachings of the Bible and is accepted interdenominationally.

Apostles Creed

"I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord.  He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended to the dead.  On the third day He rose again.  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again to judge the living and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen"

The Christian Bible

We believe the Christian Bible to be the inspired and only infallible authoritative Word of God revealing the love of God to the world.  It is our handbook for Christian living and our final authority on all spiritual matters.  (John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13)

Evangelism and Discipleship

We believe that Jesus sends His redeemed people into the world as the Father sent Him. We believe that the ministry of evangelism, the sharing and proclaiming of the message of salvation only possible by belief in Jesus Christ, and discipleship, helping followers of Jesus to grow in maturity with their faith, is the responsibility of all followers of Jesus.  We believe that our mission as ambassadors of Jesus Christ is to share His message of salvation, love, and forgiveness in order to fulfill the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:9-15, 1 Peter 3:15)

These statements do not exhaust the extent of Paradosi Christian Ballet's beliefs. the Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, what we believe, and the proper conduct of mankind.

*catholic, little "c", refers to the wholeness of the entire church in all times and not a specific denomination of Christianity.