Villella << vihl EHL uh >>, Edward Joseph (1936-…), an American dancer, gained fame while performing with the New York City Ballet. Villella became known for his style of dancing called bravura, which means brilliant and daring. He also won recognition for his comic acting in such ballets as Pulcinella.
Villella was born on Oct. 1, 1936, in Bayside, New York, near Great Neck. He began training at the School of American Ballet when he was 10 years old and joined the New York City Ballet in 1957. During his years with that company, he was widely praised for his performance in the title role of Prodigal Son. He also created roles in Tarantella, Harlequinade, and Dances at a Gathering.
About 1979 Villella began to perform less, though he did not officially retire. Since then, he has served as artistic advisor to several regional ballet companies. In 1986, he became the founding artistic director of the Miami City Ballet in Florida. Villella left the company after the 2012-2013 season.
