Meet Paul
World Class Professional Dance Instructor
sLn oA Dance to Entrance aul Pellicoro was part of the New York club scene which had reached new heights of popularity with the emergence of disco music and the dance it gave birth to, the Hustle. The Hustle transformed Paul along with the rest of world as it ignited an interest in partner dancing in pop culture, seducing Paul even further to study American and International Style Ballroom Dance.
Paul’s talent would soon allow him to work at numerous studios until 1985 when he opened the doors in NYC to his own studio with the goal of introducing partner dancing to popular as well as traditional culture, taking a more contemporary approach than previously seen in the Ballroom world.
Paul emphasized social dance as well as competitive style and street style dances such as Hustle and Salsa, and was instrumental in introducing New York to an authentic style known as Argentine Tango, expanding the scope of the Ballroom scene.
Paul has extensive film experience both as a performer and choreographer. In the early 90’s he came to national attention when he trained Academy Award winner Al Pacino for his sizzling tango scene in the hit movie, “Scent of a Woman”.
In 1995 Paul 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
Paul Pellicoro’s DanceSport Studio in New York was the largest Latin & Ballroom Dance Studio, and was host to celebrity clients, dance television shows, as well as social and competitive dancers of all ages. The studio was world renowned for preserving the art of partner and social dancing through all its forms.
Read his biography on Wikipedia.
A Dance to Entrance on Los Angeles Times
Firting with Tango on New York Times
The Man Who Taught Pacino to Tango on New York Newsday
Let Salsa Move You into the Night on New York Times
CELEBRiTIES
INTERVIEW
Dance segment on Good Day New York, 1988
PRESS
The Tango Scene — Scent of a Woman
One of cinema’s most memorable dance moments, the tango scene from Scent of a Woman, choreographed by Paul Pellicoro, captures the elegance, passion, and spontaneity of Argentine Tango. As Frank Slade and Donna share the dance floor, the music becomes their guide, transforming a simple encounter into a moment of confidence, connection, and unexpected beauty.
“No mistakes in the tango, not like life.”
Good Morning America
“GMA” anchor Diane Sawyer took her gang to participate in one of her favorite activities — dancing. Find out what happens when Diane, Robin, Chris and Sam go salsa dancing for the first time at the largest ballroom and latin dance studio!
Good advice from Dr. Oz:
"Release jitters by SWING DANCING with Adam Katona, Milo Saidl, Laura Assante, Natalie Cruz, Alexandra L., Robert Arvidsson, and the rest of the stars of Paul Pellicoro's DanceSport!"
Book: "Paul Pellicoro on tango"
Author & Expert on Argentine Tango
"The definitive guide to the Argentine Tango from the man who taught the Stars to dance."
This entertaining book describes the beginnings of the Argentine Tango dance in Buenos Aires, biographies of famous tango dancers, what to wear, what shoes are best, tango etiquette, an in-depth section on tango music.
