Larissa started her dance training at the age of three in Eugene, Oregon. After high-school, she auditioned for Paradosi Ballet Company and was accepted into the ministry as Paradosi’s first Trainee. During her training with the ministry, Larissa was taken under the wing of the ministry's founder, Tennille Carver, who mentored and encouraged her growth spiritually, as an artist, and as a leader.  

Larissa served as a dancer with Paradosi from 2011 through 2021 before retiring from dancing to focus on leading the organization full-time. During Larissa’s tenure with Paradosi, she has served as a Company Artist, Trainee Director, Discipleship Director, Choreographer, and is now fully committed to the role of Artistic Director for both Paradosi Ballet Company and our dance school, Surrendered School of Dance.

Larissa's main goal as a leader is to love and encourage the dancers in her care while drawing out their individual gifts as dancers while equipping them to share the hope of Jesus through the arts.

Larissa has consistently taught ballet since 2012 in addition to giving master classes across the US and in Europe through Paradosi. Larissa has also taught ballet in the public school system at Orting High School.

Larissa is an American Ballet Theatre ABT® Certified Teacher in the ABT® National Training Curriculum, a Level 2 Certified Teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique® (PBT) and has completed the Boston Ballet • Adaptive Dance Teacher Training Program.