Paul Pellicoro
Paul Pellicoro (born 1956) is a professional ballroom dancer, instructor, and choreographer. He has owned and operated New York City's largest ballroom dance studio, Paul Pellicoro's DanceSport, since 1985, which is currently located in its new (as of November 2006) home next to the Empire State Building in Manhattan, in New York City. (The studio was previously located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.) Renowned for his work in films, Pellicoro has extensive film experience both as a performer and as a choreographer.
Biography
Pellicoro first came to national attention as the dance choreographer for the film "Scent of a Woman" (1992), for which he trained Academy Award winner Al Pacino for the notable (and arguably, most memorable) scene of the film, wherein Pacino dances the Argentine Tango with actress Gabrielle Anwar.[1]
Pellicoro both manages DanceSport and instructs there full-time, teaching Salsa/Mambo, the Hustle, and Argentine Tango. Formerly a ten-dance competitor, Paul also teaches International Latin American and Standard, along with all of the American Style dances. He is one of the few living experts in both "authentic style" dancing as well as the competitive styles. Among his notable students is Marilyn Cole.[1]
In 1995, he co-founded the Partner Dance Educational Fund, a not-for-profit organization with a stated mission to bring partner dancing to a wider public. Currently, the Fund sponsors free dance workshops in New York City public schools and private spaces.
Filmography (crew)
| Date | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Scent of a Woman | (choreographer) |
| 1998 | The Object of My Affection | (choreographer) |
| 1999 | Summer of Sam | (choreographer) |
| 1999 | Flawless | (choreographer) |
| 2000 | Autumn in New York | (choreographer) |
References
Further reading
- "Diversions". U.S. News and World Report.
- Paul Pellicoro On Tango. 2002.