RAYMOND RODRIGUEZ was born in New York City and began tap dancing at the age of six. While attending the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan, he was required to study ballet and began training at the American Ballet Theater School. While on scholarship he was privately taught by Jurgen Schneider, and gained performing experience with American Ballet Theater in children’s roles and later as an apprentice. He joined Cleveland Ballet in 1981, which is now Ballet San Jose. He also serves as Régisseur with the company and is a guest faculty member at Ballet San Jose School.

Mr. Rodriguez has a diverse repertoire as a principal dancer with roles that include, Albrecht in GISELLE, Romeo in ROMEO AND JULIET, The Peruvian in GAÎTÉ PARISIENNE, Prince Siegfried in SWAN LAKE, Don Jose in Roland Petit’s CARMEN, the Profiteer in THE GREEN TABLE, the principal male in WHO CARES?, the title role in THE TOREADOR and many other roles created for him by Dennis Nahat. He continues to be an invited guest with many companies around the United States that include the Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Theater of New Mexico, the Eglevsky Ballet, Ballet Tucson, Oakland Festival Ballet and Ballet du Nord in Roubaix, France. Partnered with Karen Gabay, he has performed at the Anniversary Gala for the Queen of Denmark’s Silver Anniversary. He toured with Cynthia Gregory’s Dance Galaxy in South America and performed at the Vail International Dance Festival and Career Transitions for Dancers.

His television credits include the starring role of Arthur in the Emmy-nominated national broadcast of BLUE SUEDE SHOES, the opening dance sequence and the 100th episode of the Drew Carey Show, and he was a featured dancer in the television special Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope which won the American Choreographer’s award.

Mr. Rodriguez also appeared in ABC's Season II of "Dancing with the Stars", coaching football legend Jerry Rice. He recently made his film debut in the movie adaptation of "RENT".

Mr. Rodriguez is also Co-Artistic Director of Pointe of Departure, Cleveland, Ohio’s summer classical ballet company, as well as co-founder of Elite Dance Artist Management, representing elite ballet dancers, teachers, choreographers and dance administrators.