Dances Patrelle has announced the passing of their cherished founder, Francis Patrelle, as of December 27, 2025.
Born on May 10, 1947, Patrelle attended Juilliard under Sir Antony Tudor, and in the 1970s he began a 40 year career of teaching dance. He served as director of USDAN for over a decade, briefly taught at Barnard, spent decades working with opera students at Manhattan School of Music, Ballet Academy East, and other schools.
As a choreographer, Patrelle has created works for companies such as Albany Berkshire Ballet, and worked with Hal Prince on ‘Turandot’ at the Vienna State Opera. Among his ballets for Dances Patrelle are ‘Black Forest Carousel,’ ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ and ‘The Yorkville Nutcracker.’
While Patrelle is survived by no children or partner, he is remembered with tremendous affection by students and artistic collaborators.