We recently connected with Rockie Fraticelli and have shared our conversation below.
Rockie, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
I have witnessed other dancers burnout for many reasons, but what always brings me out of a funk is returning to the passion, love and beautiful community I have with dance. The industry and the politics will always be present, but when I can take a few steps back and simplify to my purpose and my “why” I am reminded of the things that made me fall in love with dance.
I have been so fortunate to have been pulled back to teaching quite a bit. I have taught just about every level of dancer, but what has inspired me the most has been working closely with high school students who have little to no dance experience. I work tirelessly to ramp them up to speed, unite them as a team and train them to compete against teams of dancers in the area who have been dancing their whole lives. It has been intense work. The job has humbled me, challenged me, tested my limits and, most importantly, inspired me in countless ways.
In all honesty, it has been the realization that dance has very little to do with the dance steps and so much more about the company that you keep!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Rockie is a professional dancer, athlete and teacher based out of LA. She graduated from Chapman University with my BFA in Dance Performance and my BS in Kinesiology and has been putting her education into action ever since. Rockie works in the commercial dance industry and has been spotted as a featured dancer with Ariana Grande in the MTV Video Music Awards, in the Oscars live rendition of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, performing alongside Sofia Reyes and Evan Gia, and much more. She has had the chance to work and perform for companies such as Disney+, Taco Bell, Under Armour, Nationwide, Tostitos, iFit, iHeartRadio, Six Flags Great America, Cabi Clothing and O’We Fitness SmartWatch.
Beyond her own personal career, Rockie has dedicated the recent years assisting some of the most accredited choreographers in the dance industry as well as choreographing music videos, short films, commercials and personal projects. Over the past 4 academic school years Rockie has built and directed the dance program at Reseda Charter High School. Out of all the incredible opportunities she has had, working as the Head Coach of the Dance Team at Reseda has been some of her most fulfilling work. Molding and mentoring students at this critical age has provided her with remarkable purpose and perspective.
Rockie has fallen in love with teaching, choreographing, and creative directing and always look for new ways to collaborate with fellow artists incorporating fresh and exciting concepts and technology.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Professionalism – Although the dance industry can feel “fun”, “trendy” and “popular”, professionalism will never go out of style. Popularity can get you into the industry, but professionalism will keep you consistent. From the beginning, my focus has been on longevity. Although I may not perform as a dancer for the rest of my life, I hope to continue to developing my artistry and work behind the scenes in the creative, producing, directing, and choreographing for dance and entertainment. I feel confident that my reputation as a reliable and trustworthy dancer will carry with me through whatever comes next.
2. Persistence – Revisiting my last point about the industry moving with the trends, the dance/entertainment industry can shift so fast and people, disciplines, styles can get pushed to the wayside. I have seen many dancers get lost on the sidelines and become a victim to the turning tides in the industry. I believe it is extremely important to find ways to stand strong in our foundation and artistic voices while also being able to absorb, shift, relearn and redirect.
3. Grit – Very rarely does anything come easily as a professional dancer. Dancers are some of the hardest working people on the planet. Rejection is inevitable and constant so it is important to shift your mindset, to see career efforts a part of a journey, to learn from criticism and rejection, to embrace challenges and stand strong in purpose. Small steps, day after day.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was support me on my own journey and encourage my independence. They had their hands on my back for support but also pushed me to learn lessons in my own way. I believe the most important thing they instilled in me is how to always strive be a GOOD person. They were such a beautiful example of how to treat people the way you want to be treated and always showing up for those that you love. My parents showed me that their love was unconditional, but reinforced the lesson that nothing in life worth having ever comes easily. They taught me how to always work hard for what I want and what I believe in.
I have been blessed beyond belief with not only the best parents, but also sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. I truly believe that the lessons carried with me from my family have led me to my husband. I feel so incredibly fortunate that all of the love, support and loyalty I have received from my own family is also now amplified with the family I got fortunate enough to marry into.
I am the woman I am today because of the way my family has raised me, and I could not be more grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://starstalentstudio.com/portfolio/raquel-fraticelli-dance-choreographer/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockieee___/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcfraticelli/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rockiefraticelli8221
Image Credits
Alissa Roseborough, Trevor Paul, Eric Dew, Ferg
