SPAC School of the Arts
99 South Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(located behind the National Museum of Dance)
This workshop has been rescheduled from MLK Saratoga’s Dr. King Celebration Weekend.
For ages 7 thru Adult
With a short introductory talk on the history and relevance of jazz tap dance as a trailblazer for equality, this master class will provide a joyful experience in the movement and technique that are the underpinnings of the jazz tap form. Working from an African Diasporic dance foundation, participants will be gently guided through a center warm-up and across the floor movement and footwork that will culminate into a jubilant dance combination based in both jazz and tap dance. No Tap Dance Shoes Required! Participants may wear tap or jazz shoes, ballet slippers, non-street sneakers, or dance barefoot. Recommended clothing: sweatpants, leggings or tights, leotard or t-shirt.
Tina Fretto, instructor
As a native Saratoga Springs jazz tap artist and educator, Tina Fretto has taught, performed, and choreographed throughout New England, New Jersey, and New York for over 30 years. From 2002-2020, she was the owner/artistic director of Saratoga Jazz Tap where she mentored dancers through private and small group instruction, created new works, and produced concerts and annual festivals for National Tap Dance Day, bringing in guest artists and instructors. She has performed for Margo Mensing in “Stoptime: a Louis Armstrong Celebration,” at Jacob's Pillow in Lenox, M.A. with Lynn Schwab, the Troy Saving's Bank Music Hall in Duke Ellington's "Sacred Symphonies" with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, The National Museum of Dance Gala’s "Singing In The Rain" with the Alex Torres Orchestra, and in NYC at Swing 46 under the auspices of Buster Brown and Zinno's Jazz Tap Brunch with Barbara Duffy. She has choreographed & directed for the American Tap Dance Foundation’s "Something's-a-Foot,” Saratoga City Ballet's "The Nutcracker: Sweet & Swingin'," Saratoga Arts Festival, The National Museum of Dance Black History Month Celebration, Saratoga Children's Theatre, Saratoga Springs High School Drama Club, and St. Clement's Church. A protege of Brenda Bufalino, Tina's work is infused and inspired by the lineage and repertoire of the Copasetics Club — the original 21-member group of "Hoofers," whose artistry laid a firm foundation for the jazz tap form. Additionally, she has been fortunate to mentor with tap artists Heather Cornell, Barbara Duffy, and Katherine Kramer. Tina serves on the board of the Dance Alliance of the Capital Region and the Catholic Daughters of America. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts/Directing from the State University of New York at Albany and is pursuing a master's degree in Childhood & Special Education at Fordham University. Tina currently serves as tap dance lecturer at Skidmore College.
Capital Region & Skidmore College Tap Dancers perform in NYC.