Georgina Pazcoguin is an American ballerina who has made a significant impact in the dance world. Born and raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, she possesses a unique background as a biracial individual with an Italian mother and a father who immigrated from the Philippines after completing medical school. Growing up in a family of six siblings, Pazcoguin began her ballet training at the Allegheny Ballet Academy at the age of four. Additionally, she studied African, tap, and jazz dance, showcasing her versatility even from an early age.
In pursuit of her passion for ballet, Pazcoguin moved to New York City at the age of 16 to train at the renowned School of American Ballet. She also attended the Professional Children’s School during this time. Her talent and dedication caught the attention of Peter Martins, who invited her to join the New York City Ballet (NYCB) as an apprentice. Within a year, she became a member of the company’s corps de ballet.
Throughout her career at NYCB, Pazcoguin has taken on various roles, both featured and principal. In 2013, she achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Asian American female soloist in NYCB’s history. This accomplishment not only highlights her immense talent but also breaks down barriers and encourages greater diversity in the ballet world.
Pazcoguin has been fortunate enough to perform in numerous original productions with NYCB, including memorable performances in Romeo + Juliet as the Nurse (2007), Douglas Lee’s Lifecasting (2009), Ocean’s Kingdom as Scala (2011), and Angelin Preljocaj’s Spectral Evidence. Additionally, she has had the opportunity to showcase her skills in several notable revivals, such as George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker as Dewdrop, Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Hippolyta, Peter Martins’ The Sleeping Beauty as Carabosse, and Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite as Anita.
Beyond her remarkable dancing abilities, Pazcoguin is known for challenging the stereotypes and standards often associated with ballet. She has been vocal about her struggles with body image issues, embracing her unique qualities and advocating for greater diversity and inclusion within the ballet community. Alongside former dancer Phil Chan, she co-founded Final Bow for Yellowface in 2017, a campaign aimed at combatting Asian stereotypes in the dance world.
In 2021, Pazcoguin published her memoir, titled Swan Dive: The Making of a Rogue Ballerina, where she shares her experiences and insights as a non-traditional ballet dancer. Her memoir serves as a testament to her determination and serves as an inspiration to aspiring dancers who may not fit the traditional mold.
Throughout her career, Georgina Pazcoguin has demonstrated remarkable talent, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to breaking barriers and challenging norms in the ballet world. Through her accomplishments and advocacy efforts, she has made a lasting impact and continues to inspire younger generations of dancers to pursue their dreams regardless of societal expectations.