Coco
Barán, otherwise known in the
tango community as Nicoleta Lucero,
began dancing classical ballet at the
prestigious Pacific Northwest Ballet in
her youth and later studied tap, jazz
and hip hop. In 1994, when living in Buenos
Aires, Argentina, she found herself right
at home in the tango capital of the world.
A
graduate of UCLA, she returned to LA where
she performed and danced with various
partners. She became friends with Sandor
(Forever Tango, Tango Vivo), who hired
her to assist him in many of his classes.
She left LA for New York City, where she
resided for the past 7 years working as
a teacher, choreographer and performer.
Coco
has studied over the years with many tango
masters but she owes most of her knowledge
and training to her mentor, Mariela Franganillo,
(Forever Tango, Swango, protégée
of Gustavo Naveira). She has also studied
extensively with child prodigy, Pablo Pugliese,
(Uqbar Tango). In NY she had the privilege
to perform with Pablo Veron, virtuoso tango
dancer and star of the film "The Tango
Lesson", at popular tangueria, La Belle
Epoque. She also assisted him teach some
of his workshops.
In
commercial venues, Coco has coached Elvis
Costello and Diana Krall with their tango
for acclaimed photographer Mark Seliger's
(Rolling Stone Magazine & Vanity Fair)
Stairwell Series and was principal dancer
in a shoot for Rob Thomas, the lead singer
of the band Matchbox 20.
Coco
has also directed successful tango programs
for children and is a music and piano
teacher with over 10 years of teaching
experience. She imparts her understanding
of music to her dance students to enable
them to dance with rhythm and musicality.
She
presently resides in Marina del Rey with
her husband and son. A passionate and
dedicated teacher, she bridges the gap
between learning in the class and dancing
well and confidently on the dance floor.
