2025 Annual Report | Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts on Long Island

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2025 Annual Report

You can flip through the pages of the interactive viewer in two ways:

Use the horizontal scrollbar beneath the booklet
Click on the arrows on the left and right ends of the booklet.
(The arrow is black, so it may be hard to view on certain pages).

2025 Hightlights: By the Numbers

In 2025, Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts — a nonprofit arts camp on Long Island, New York — served more than 1,300 young artists. The following statistics reflect the breadth and impact of Usdan's programming.

1,300+ young artists served at Usdan in summer 2025.
150+ high-quality arts classes offered across eight artistic disciplines.
170+ performances and exhibitions hosted on campus.
50,000+ guests welcomed on-site.
23,000+ community members reached virtually.
$2.2 million in scholarships and financial aid provided to students.
7,000 pumpkins adorned Usdan's campus during RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns.
350+ faculty and staff employed, supporting programming across eight artistic disciplines.

2025 Highlights: Victory Laps

Beyond the numbers, 2025 brought Usdan several significant recognitions and creative milestones.

* Usdan received its American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation in December 2025, affirming its commitment to health, safety, and program quality standards.

* Usdan was named a Top Workplace for the fifth consecutive year by the Long Island Press.

* At the close of summer 2025, 99% of Usdan students reported feeling safe to play and experiment as an artist.

* 98% of students felt safe to be themselves at Usdan — reflecting the camp's inclusive, affirming community culture.

* New classes taught by Usdan artists-in-residence included "Intro to DJ Basics" and "Found Sound," expanding the camp's contemporary arts programming.

* Usdan commissioned two original musicals: Aviva vs. the Dybbuk and KABLAM! — original works created and performed by Usdan students and faculty.

2025 Highlights: Media

Throughout the Annual Report there are QR codes, which you can also explore below for audio and visual experiences of the year!

THE SOUNDS OF USDAN

This composition was created by a student in the new class Found Sound, taught by Artist in Residence Lisa Schonberg.

Usdan Artist in Residence with Music student

Learn more about Found Sound on page 11 of the Annual Report.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

This summer, we spoke with Usdan dance student Maddox (a campus star!) about his experience at Usdan.

Student dancer performs on stage at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

Learn more about Maddox coming out of his shell on page 5 of the Annual Report.

WORLD PREMIERES AT USDAN

As part of our New Works Initiative, students performed two original musicals over Summer 2025.

Learn more about the New Works Initiative on page 15 of the Annual Report.

2025 FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES

Our daily Festival showcases regular work by students, faculty, staff, and visiting artists. Professional performances at 2025 Festival included alumni performers Dan Kiernan (known for his work on “The Voice”), Zach & Zak (raucous cabaret duo), the Harlem Chamber Players (boundary breaking classical ensemble), and the Sam Dillon Quartet (virtuosic jazz instrumentalists); critically-acclaimed dance companies NaiNi Chen Dance, IMGE Dance, and A.I.M by Kyle Abraham; plus, beloved circus act The Red Trouser Show.

Learn more about Usdan's 2025 Performances on page 12 of the Annual Report.

THE SECOND ANNUAL HIP-HOP POOL PARTY

Thrown on August 9 by Artists in Residence DJ Kool Herc and “The First Lady of Hip-Hop” Cindy Campbell, the 2025 Hip-Hop Pool Party featured live turn-tabling, guest DJs, dance-offs, fashion contests, and lots of joy.

Learn more about our 2025 Community Programming on page 16 of the Annual Report.

STUDENT-ARTIST COLLABORATION

World-class orchestral ensemble The Knights performed original classical compositions written by Usdan Music students.

Learn more about how Usdan pulls off its magic on page 21 of the Annual Report.

ON BEHALF OF THE YOUNG ARTISTS OF USDAN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

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Class	Session	Major/Minor
Festival Showrunners: Usher, Host & Capture!	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Recreational Camp	1-Week Rec Camp	Major
Chess	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor and Recreational Activity
Performance: Children’s Theater	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Performance: Musical Theater	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Performance: The Usdan Troupe	8-Week	Major
Theater Skills: Improvisation & Theater Games	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Theater Skills: The Actor Sings	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Archery	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
U Time	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Yoga	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Nature, Ecology & Design	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Seed to Snack: Edible Gardening	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Absolute Beginner Guitar Minor	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Absolute Beginner Piano Minor	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Chamber Ensemble	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Composition: Classical Music	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Composition: Intro to DJ Basics and the History of Hip-Hop	4-Week A	Minor
Composition: Songwriting	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Concert Band	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Guitar Minor (1-2 Years of Experience)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Jazz Ensemble (Major)	4-Week A	Major
Jazz Ensemble (Minor)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Junior Piano Major (3+ Years of Experience)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Junior Vocal Ensemble	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Orchestra	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Piano Minor (1-2 Years of Experience)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Senior Piano Major (4+ Years of Experience)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Senior Vocal Ensemble	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Ballet	4-Week A	Major
Broadway Jazz Dance	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Choreography	4-Week B	Major
Dance Adventure	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Hip Hop Dance (Major)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Hip Hop Dance (Minor)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Tap Dance	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Creative Writing	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Creative Writing: Playwriting	4-Week B	Minor
Art Adventure	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Beginner Painting	4-Week B	Minor
Ceramics	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Comic Art	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Jewelry Making: Mixed Media	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
LEGO™ Construction	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Painting & Drawing	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Photography	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Portfolio Development	4-Week A	Minor
Sculpture	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Sewing & Fashion Design	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Discovery	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major