Rosa Rodriguez Frazier: A Journey Through Dance and Community

For Associate Professor Rosa Rodriguez Frazier, dance has been a journey of discovery, faith, and community. Teaching at Riverside City College (RCC), she brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to her students, shaping the next generation of movement artists. Her path into dance was anything but linear, guided by serendipitous moments and an unwavering belief in trusting the universe.

Rodriguez Frazier earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Master of Fine Arts in Experimental Choreography from the University of California, Riverside. Interestingly, dance was not always the clear choice for her. "It's a not-knowing journey," she explains. "I didn’t set out with a plan, but opportunities kept presenting themselves, and I followed where they led."

One of those pivotal moments came during her first week as an undergraduate student at UCR. Though she had auditioned for multiple university dance programs, she had not been accepted and initially thought she would pursue a career as a math teacher. However, a chance encounter with two dance professors at UCR changed everything. "They asked me if I was a dance major. I said no, and they told me I should consider it. They invited me to be part of the UCR Gluck Fellow Recipient dance touring ensemble. That was it—I never looked back."

Her connection with RCC started early, even as she pursued her degree. Having graduated from AB Miller High School in Fontana, a school with longstanding ties to RCC’s dance program, she found herself drawn to the college. While studying at UCR, she also took dance classes at RCC and performed in concerts, forming bonds with faculty and fellow dancers. Those relationships endured, leading her back to RCC years later as a guest artist and choreographer while she pursued her graduate studies.

Before joining RCC full-time, Rodriguez Frazier spent five years teaching at AB Miller High School. However, the opportunity to work with young adults at the college level proved irresistible. "I loved teaching high school, but I felt drawn to young adults from all walks of life. There’s something powerful about working with students at that stage of their artistic and personal development."

She initially joined RCC as a one-year visiting professor during the pandemic, a time of uncertainty and adaptation. "I was the only one physically on campus, working directly with students while many were remote. That experience deepened my connection to the college, and I saw how much potential there was to reignite the program, especially after the pandemic.”

In addition to her work at RCC, Rodriguez Frazier served as a mentor and inspiration to countless students and emerging artists but was also mentored by Sofia. In 2014, she traveled with the RCC dance program a long side Sofia to the American College Dance Association Festival, where she presented an original piece, Pista Mitotera. Sofia’s belief in her talent extended far beyond the classroom—she regularly invited Frazier Rodriguez to collaborate and encourage her to continue creating and exploring her artistic voices. Her warmth, unwavering support, and signature farewell, “Ciao bella!” left a lasting impression on all, including Frazier Rodriguez, who had the privilege of learning from her.

That one-year contract turned into something more permanent when a tenure-track position opened up. She applied and was selected to replace the late Sofia Carreras, a beloved ballet professor at RCC. While ballet had not been her primary focus, Rodriguez Frazier brought her own strengths to the role. "I teach choreography and modern dance, and we have amazing ballet instructors. But I also taught ballet at the high school level. My approach was to teach it through my contemporary and social dance lens, making it accessible and engaging for students."

Beyond RCC, Rodriguez Frazier is a celebrated artist and a co-founder of Primera Generación Dance Collective, an acclaimed ensemble dedicated to exploring the Mexican-American first-generation experience through dance. "We use contemporary dance, theater, multimedia, and social dance forms to tell our stories. The work we make speaks to how we wrestle with and rejoice in our identity."

She also dedicates her time to Show Box L.A. (SBLA), a non-profit that supports District 10’s migrant communities by fostering collaborations, highlighting diverse art practices, and providing funding and resources. Through SBLA, she has created opportunities for RCC’s past, present, and future students.

Her work with Primera Generación has garnered national recognition. In 2025, Dance Magazine, the "Rolling Stone of dance," named the collective one of the top 25 companies to watch in 2025. "It’s a huge honor and a testament to the work we’ve been doing for over a decade. We premiered our piece, Nostalgia Pop, at Red Cat Theater in Los Angeles, which led to invitations to perform in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, New York, and Joshua Tree."

As she continues to inspire students at RCC, Rodriguez Frazier remains committed to both her artistry and teaching. "I’m a teacher, but I’m also an artist. My students inspire me as much as I hope to inspire them. RCC is not just a place where I work—it’s a home, a community, and a space for creative growth."

With a career built on trust, perseverance, and passion, Rosa Rodriguez Frazier embodies the transformative power of dance and education, proving that sometimes, the best journeys are the ones we never planned.