ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS

Patti Friedman

Artistic Director/Teacher

Patti received her BA in Elementary Education from Purdue University in 1991. She has been teaching for Creative Dance Arts since 1985 and was named Co-director in 1993. Patti took over ownership of Creative Dance Arts in 1999 from its founder, Donna Turner. Patti has been a choreographer for Shenendehowa’s Choraliers, Dance Director for Clifton Knolls Day Camp, RPI Dance and Drama camp, as well as Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs Dance Team. Dance study at Broadway Dance Center and with Ballet master Finis Jhung, Tina Baird and many others. Patti has Choreographed for C-R Kids and taught dance technique classes for the cast. Most recently she has had the privilege of Choreographing for Consortium Actors on Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat and Hairspray. Presently, Patti teaches Ballet, Pointe, and Tap at all levels as well as Toddler Movement.

Laurie Fitsik

Laurie received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Fredonia College and Master’s Degree in Speech/Language Pathology from University of Denver and works with students at Shenendehowa Central School. Her true love is dance and her specialty is with our young students. Laurie teaches Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet and Pre-Tap, as well as levels I, II and III in Tap. Laurie is also our information coordinator liaison.

Brittany Fitsik

Teacher

Brittany has been dancing at Creative Dance Arts since 1992. She studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz and musical theater while attending Creative Dance Arts. Brittany attended St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY from 2007-2011 where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood and Special Education, with a minor in Instructional Technology. During her time at St. John Fisher, Brittany was on the dance team. She performed at the Men’s Soccer and Lacrosse games, as well as at different events on campus. Brittany was also a choreographer for the dance team where she choreographed group and solo dances. Brittany completed her master’s degree in Literacy at the College of St. Rose in Albany, and is presently teaching 5th grade at Milton Terrace Elementary School in the Ballston Spa School District. Brittany is presently teaching Jazz and Tap at CDA.

Stephanie Walsh

Teacher

Stephanie has been dancing at Creative Dance Arts since 1986. She received her BA degree in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Dance from Ithaca College. She teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrical and Modern. Stephanie has been a choreographer and performer with IC Unbound, a member of the nationally ranked Ithaca College Dance Team, a member of the Ultimate Dance All-stars in Albany and a choreographer for the Not-So-Common Players. Stephanie is also certified in Zumba and Zumba Gold. Coupled with her dance training, she is a dynamic Zumba instructor! Steph is currently director of marketing for Coburg Village in Clifton Park.

Tabitha McGill

Teacher

Tabitha danced with CDA for 14 years before graduating from SUNY Oneonta in 2018 with a BS in Adolescent Education and BS in Mathematics. While in college, she danced and choreographed for SUNY Oneonta's Terpsichorean Dance Company. She choreographed sassy jazz dances and performed in Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary and lyrical pieces. Tabitha was also captain of the Oneonta State Kickline for three years. Tabitha loves including personality in all of her performances and is excited to do the dame at CDA. Tabitha is currently a certified 7th-12th grade math teacher and is presently teaching 7th grade math in Queensbury. She also runs her own photography business TMcGill Photography.

Teacher

Katie Rodriguez

Katie started dancing at a young age, receiving her training with the Albany Berkshire Ballet. During this time, she performed and toured in professional productions such as The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Petrouchka, Carmina Burana and many other ballets and contemporary pieces. Katie received a scholarship to receive additional training from Walnut Hill School. She also attended Boston Ballet and The Rock School where she had the pleasure of training under such Dancers/Directors as Bruce Marks, Wendy Whelan, Kyra Nichols and Devon Carney. Katie moved to New York City after receiving a scholarship from New York University to attend the Tisch School of the Arts. This is where she received her BFA in Dance. Katie also has received her Pilates Mat Certification from the Kane School of Core Integration in NYC as well as a Barre certification through Booty Barre. Katie’s main focus as a teacher is to help the students with proper alignment and execution as well as remembering to have fun through dance and self-expression. You can also take class with Katie at The Hot Yoga Spot. Most recently Miss Katie attended the ABT Teacher Training school in NYC.

Teacher

SAMMY ROSE WILSON

Sammy recently graduated from the University at Albany with a BA in theatre and minors in musical theatre and film studies. Sammy is trained in acting (Meisner, Stanislavski, Shakespeare), dance (ballet, musical theatre, jazz, tap, lyrical, movement), and voice (classical, musical theatre, vocal science). She has recently performed with the Not So Common Players in their production of Nice Work if You Can Get It in the dance ensemble. Other recent credits include being an acting intern at Capital Repertory Theatre, Maude in Twelfth Night, Anna Maria in Godspell, the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and more. She, also, has choreographed many shows including Beauty and the Beast Footloose the musical at UAlbany. Currently, she works as a Teacher’s Assistant at the Spotted Zebra Learning Center.