We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patricia Frazier a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Patricia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I have been dancing since the age of two years old, won my first dance contest at age 10, dancing to Michael Jackson, Beat It, in the 5th grade. It was that moment I knew I wanted to dance and create dance routines for myself and others. I was in countless dance contest coming up all through junior high and high school. My freshman year in high school, I was asked by my band Director, Mr. Cook to create a dance routine for our 150 piece band for our new coming out look in the Spring Band EstravaBANDza….. So I made up the dance routine, and for two weeks I had to come to each band period and teach and tweak this routine to fit the different group of band members according to what instrument they played. I taught the routine to my best friends who were in flags, so they could teach the flag core. And I have been teaching choreography ever since. I stopped dancing for about 10 years to raise children and I knew I had to get back into my dancing once my kids got older and became tweens and teens. My first piece I choreographed was for my daughter prep squad team in Junior High School, they needed a good solid routine for a dance competition and it was to Missy Elliott ft, Ciara, Lose Control…. And let’s just say, they lost control and won 1st place….. I was on a hip-hop praise dance team from 2009 to 2018 called Xtreme Praise Ministries and we traveled all over Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas dancing and spreading the word of God through song and dance. That was very rewarding. Because alot of people were able to relate to us dancing and prasing God in that form. I have created numerous line dances and actually went viral on Facebook, with my Black and Gold linedance for the New Orleans Saints as to the point, the Saints organization and Carnival Cruise Line gave me a paid Cruise worth $1500.00 with all the perks. That was an amazing time for those 7 days on the Carnival Breeze ship. And in November 2018, I went and audition for a group called the Curvy Queenz of Dallas, I actually went to just dance as a hobby and keep my skills up, but little did I know that God had bigger plans for me and this Group. The founder Gladys McClendon had a vision to create a Plus Size dance group that was needed in the dance industry and we have been flourishing. I have had opportunities that I never thought I would have. Meaning, I’m a 47 year old Mother of 4, Grandmother of 6 and I still have a little fire left in this tank. Not only am I a dancer, for Curvy Queenz, I’m also one of the Choreographer and the Public Relations Director. I take my roles and leadership positions very serious, I want nothing but the best for the group and these Ladies. My most contributed choreography piece was a linedance I created to Silk Sonic, Leave The Door Open that has over 3 million views on it on Facebook. The Curvy Queenz of Dallas has brought myself and other Ladies a vast majority of chances and help build a platform for the plus size and older Ladies. We have performed at numerous events throughout Texas, Louisiana, Wisconsin and even in Las Vegas. We have competed on World of Dance here in Dallas, making history by being the first all plus size dance team and actually winning Crowd Favorite. Our accolades go on and on, we have performed at a Harlem Globetrotters Halftime Show in Fort Worth, TX. We been on Good Morning Texas WFAA, auditioned for America Got Talent, countless dance videos with Rap Artist, Superbowl commercial with Will Smith. We havre worked with Ashley Stewart Clothing Store, Shu Deal Stores doing commercials and advertisements. You can find the Curvy Queenz of Dallas on social media on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, you will not be disappointed with the content. Our goal is to see Curvy Queenz of Dallas name in the big spot light on the big stage. We have not only formed a dance team but a Sisterhood for life. We are there to comfort each other in the good times and even more in the bad times. This is a great team with even greater Ladies and we want to continue to grow with other Chapters of Curvy Queenz in different states eventually. We appreciate your time and thank you in advance.
Patricia , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been dancing since the age of two years old, won my first dance contest at age 10, dancing to Michael Jackson, Beat It, in the 5th grade. It was that moment I knew I wanted to dance and create dance routines for myself and others. I was in countless dance contest coming up all through junior high and high school. My freshman year in high school, I was asked by my band Director, Mr. Cook to create a dance routine for our 150 piece band for our new coming out look in the Spring Band EstravaBANDza….. So I made up the dance routine, and for two weeks I had to come to each band period and teach and tweak this routine to fit the different group of band members according to what instrument they played. I taught the routine to my best friends who were in flags, so they could teach the flag core. And I have been teaching choreography ever since. I stopped dancing for about 10 years to raise children and I knew I had to get back into my dancing once my kids got older and became tweens and teens. My first piece I choreographed was for my daughter prep squad team in Junior High School, they needed a good solid routine for a dance competition and it was to Missy Elliott ft, Ciara, Lose Control…. And let’s just say, they lost control and won 1st place….. I was on a hip-hop praise dance team from 2009 to 2018 called Xtreme Praise Ministries and we traveled all over Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas dancing and spreading the word of God through song and dance. That was very rewarding. Because alot of people were able to relate to us dancing and prasing God in that form. I have created numerous line dances and actually went viral on Facebook, with my Black and Gold linedance for the New Orleans Saints as to the point, the Saints organization and Carnival Cruise Line gave me a paid Cruise worth $1500.00 with all the perks. That was an amazing time for those 7 days on the Carnival Breeze ship. And in November 2018, I went and audition for a group called the Curvy Queenz of Dallas, I actually went to just dance as a hobby and keep my skills up, but little did I know that God had bigger plans for me and this Group. The founder Gladys McClendon had a vision to create a Plus Size dance group that was needed in the dance industry and we have been flourishing. I have had opportunities that I never thought I would have. Meaning, I’m a 47 year old Mother of 4, Grandmother of 6 and I still have a little fire left in this tank. Not only am I a dancer, for Curvy Queenz, I’m also one of the Choreographer and the Public Relations Director. I take my roles and leadership positions very serious, I want nothing but the best for the group and these Ladies. My most contributed choreography piece was a linedance I created to Silk Sonic, Leave The Door Open that has over 3 million views on it on Facebook. The Curvy Queenz of Dallas has brought myself and other Ladies a vast majority of chances and help build a platform for the plus size and older Ladies. We have performed at numerous events throughout Texas, Louisiana, Wisconsin and even in Las Vegas. We have competed on World of Dance here in Dallas, making history by being the first all plus size dance team and actually winning Crowd Favorite. Our accolades go on and on, we have performed at a Harlem Globetrotters Halftime Show in Fort Worth, TX. We been on Good Morning Texas WFAA, auditioned for America Got Talent, countless dance videos with Rap Artist, Superbowl commercial with Will Smith. We havre worked with Ashley Stewart Clothing Store, Shu Deal Stores doing commercials and advertisements. You can find the Curvy Queenz of Dallas on social media on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, you will not be disappointed with the content. Our goal is to see Curvy Queenz of Dallas name in the big spot light on the big stage. We have not only formed a dance team but a Sisterhood for life. We are there to comfort each other in the good times and even more in the bad times. This is a great team with even greater Ladies and we want to continue to grow with other Chapters of Curvy Queenz in different states eventually. We appreciate your time and thank you in advance.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes I want to see how far I can go as a Choreographer and/or Dancer for being an older Woman and Plus Size Dancer. I feel like that’s a double strike against me, but I love proving people wrong. I can be and do anything as long as I keep God first and keep pursing my dream, it’s never too late and I don’t want to have any regrets.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes I wish they was an easy path to take, but I guess you just have to work hard and grind ever harder to get to where you want to be. I have learned that when you connect with one person in the industry, it’s like a snowball effect, it’s take you to other opportunities that sometimes lead to bigger opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.curvyqueenzofdallas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curvyqueenzdallas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CurvyQueenzofDallas
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/CurvyQueenzofDallasDanceTeam