Paul Pellicoro
Encyclopedia
Paul Pellicoro is a professional ballroom dance
r, 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 located in the Upper West Side
neighborhood in Manhattan until November 2006). Renowned for his work in films, he has extensive film experience both as a performer and as a choreographer.
He first came to national attention in the early 1990s as the dance choreographer for the film "Scent of a Woman
", where he trained Academy Award winner Al Pacino
for the notable (and arguably, most memorable) scene of the film where he dances the Argentine Tango
with actress Gabrielle Anwar
.
In addition to managing his New York dance studio, Paul is a full-time dance instructor there, 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 dance as well. He is one of the few living only experts in both "authentic style" dancing as well as the competitive styles. Among his notable students is Marilyn Cole
.
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.
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
r, 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
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(the studio was located in the Upper West Side
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River and between West 59th Street and West 125th Street...
neighborhood in Manhattan until November 2006). Renowned for his work in films, he has extensive film experience both as a performer and as a choreographer.
He first came to national attention in the early 1990s as the dance choreographer for the film "Scent of a Woman
Scent of a Woman
This article is about the American film. For the Korean drama, see Scent of a Woman .Scent of a Woman is a 1992 drama film directed by Martin Brest that tells the story of a preparatory school student who takes a job as an assistant to an irascible, blind, medically retired Army officer...
", where he trained Academy Award winner Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
for the notable (and arguably, most memorable) scene of the film where he dances the Argentine Tango
Argentine Tango
Argentine tango is a musical genre of simple quadruple metre and binary musical form, and the social dance that accompanies it. Its lyrics and music are marked by nostalgia, expressed through melodic instruments including the bandoneon. Originated at the ending of the 19th century in the suburbs of...
with actress Gabrielle Anwar
Gabrielle Anwar
Gabrielle Anwar is an English actress. She is known for her role as Margaret Tudor on The Tudors, for dancing the tango with Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman and for her current role as Fiona Glenanne on USA's Burn Notice.- Early life :...
.
In addition to managing his New York dance studio, Paul is a full-time dance instructor there, teaching Salsa/Mambo
Salsa (dance)
Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...
, the Hustle
Hustle (dance)
The Hustle is a catchall name for several disco dances which were extremely popular in the 1970s. Today it mostly refers to the unique partner dance done in ballrooms and nightclubs to disco music. It has some features in common with swing dance. Its basic steps are somewhat similar to the...
, and Argentine Tango
Argentine Tango
Argentine tango is a musical genre of simple quadruple metre and binary musical form, and the social dance that accompanies it. Its lyrics and music are marked by nostalgia, expressed through melodic instruments including the bandoneon. Originated at the ending of the 19th century in the suburbs of...
. Formerly a ten-dance competitor, Paul also teaches International Latin American and Standard along with all of the American Style dance as well. He is one of the few living only experts in both "authentic style" dancing as well as the competitive styles. Among his notable students is Marilyn Cole
Marilyn Cole
Marilyn Cole was Playboy magazine's January 1972 Playmate of the Month. She was the magazines's first full-frontal nude centerfold, although her pubic hair was partly covered by the shadow cast from the book in her hand, so the first clearly full-frontally nude Playmate of the Month was Bonnie...
.
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 Scent of a Woman This article is about the American film. For the Korean drama, see Scent of a Woman .Scent of a Woman is a 1992 drama film directed by Martin Brest that tells the story of a preparatory school student who takes a job as an assistant to an irascible, blind, medically retired Army officer... |
(choreographer) |
| 1998 | The Object of My Affection The Object of My Affection The Object of My Affection is a 1998 romantic comedy film, adapted from the book of the same title by Stephen McCauley, and starring Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd. The story concerns a pregnant New York social worker who develops romantic feelings for her gay best friend, and the complications... |
(choreographer) |
| 1999 | Summer of Sam Summer of Sam Summer of Sam is a 1999 crime-drama based around the Son of Sam serial murders. It was directed and produced by Spike Lee.-Plot:Summer of Sam is the story of a group of people in New York City in the summer of 1977, a time when the headlines were dominated by the Son of Sam serial killer... |
(choreographer) |
| 1999 | Flawless | (choreographer) |
| 2000 | Autumn in New York Autumn in New York (film) Autumn in New York is a 2000 romantic drama film directed by Joan Chen and starring Richard Gere, Winona Ryder, and Anthony LaPaglia.The movie focuses on Will Keane who falls in love with Charlotte Fielding , a sweet, but terminally ill young woman.-Plot:Will Keane, a 48-year old restaurant owner,... |
(choreographer) |
External links
- Paul Pellicoro's DanceSport--(Website for Paul Pellicoro's ballroom dance studio)
- Paul being quoted in U.S. News and World Report article
- IMDB (Internet Movie Database) entry for Paul Pellicoro