Summer Newsletter | Aug 13, 2024
What's New With U? Week 6
Dear Friends,
Week 6 brought new friendships, new artistic discoveries, the magical world of Dr. Seuss, a touch of tap, and a celebration of longtime Usdan students. Although the weather brought some challenges, including requiring us to close on Friday, our students and staff were not deterred from continuing to create art, learn new skills, and have fun.
Keep reading to discover what happened in Week 6 and what's in store for Week 7. With only two weeks left in the season, the entire Usdan staff is savoring every last moment in Usdan's magical woods with the students.
Until next week!
P.S. Neon Day has been rescheduled to this Tuesday, August 13! We can't wait to see everyone on campus in their brightest and boldest colors.
Returning to Gratitude
What are you grateful for this Usdan season?
As the day came to end on Thursday, our media team interviewed students on our summer theme of GRATITUDE. Here's what some had to say:
"This whole camp. I've built so many friendships and everyone here is so nice. I'm grateful for this camp and this opportunity."
-Lauren, Age 13
"Chess because I've been playing chess for a really long time and my school has never offered an actual chess club. Here I can just play chess whenever I want!"
-Noah, Age 11
"The amount of effort the staff puts into this camp."
-Theodore, Age 12
"The friendships and the bonds I've built at Usdan because they've definitely lifted me up in times when I have felt beaten down by the world."
-Janiya, Age 15
"Art because I like to create stuff!"
-Felix, Age 8
"My directors who have absolutely done the most amazing job with Troupe."
-Maddy, Age 15
"All the teachers and students and how they participate in things and support us."
-Jada, Age 10
"For people accepting you for who you are."
-Maya, Age 15
The U Benefit is in 10 Days
Have you RSVP'D Yet?
Come spend a fun-filled day at Usdan celebrating our students, our community, and the freedom of creative expression on August 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our annual U Benefit allows you the opportunity to visit studios across all of our departments, participate in a community art project, and see our talented young artists perform.
RSVP today to secure your spot!
This event is FREE, thanks to our generous sponsors. Donations at any level are deeply appreciated and can be added at the time of registration.
Summer 2025 Enrollment Now Open for Current Students
Lock in the best rate
“I learned about friendship, how to listen, and how to have fun.” -Giuliana, Age 9
Enroll by September 22 to lock in the best possible tuition rate for 2025 and promise your child another inspiring summer of creativity, play, and friendship.
Return2U is an early enrollment program for returning students and their siblings in all programs (including Recreational Camp) that provides the best possible tuition rate and the best class availability.
Return2U today for exclusive perks and savings.
Festival Week 6 Recap
Dance Assistant Teacher Aubrey Alvino performed at Festival on Thursday.
Festival in Week 6 featured a lineup of talented staff and guest artists that delighted our students with music, dance, and puppetry!
The week began with a concert of ragtime songs played by Theater teacher and pianist Zach Mandernach. On Tuesday, students enjoyed the Spanish-English puppetry performance “Más Allá del Muro: Flor’s Story," presented as part of our partnership with New Victory LabWorks powered by New 42. Catch the recording of Zach's performance here and “Más Allá del Muro: Flor’s Story” here.
The puppet used in "Más Allá del Muro: Flor’s Story" measured about 15-feet tall and was made using mostly recycled materials.
The award-winning tap dance company Dorrance Dance returned to Usdan for the third time with an interactive program that not only featured some amazing tapping but had students making music with the dancers and each other. Watch the recording here.
One of the wonderful aspects of Usdan is that you can be an artist in many different disciplines and that was on full display on Thursday at Festival. Accompanied by Theater Lead Teacher Jeffrey Hoffman on the piano, Dance Assistant Teacher and Usdan alum Aubrey Alvino serenaded the students with a program of musical theater favorites from "The Little Mermaid" to "Into the Woods." Watch the recording here.
Next Week at Festival
It is quite remarkable to witness what our young artists create after often just two weeks of learning, growing, and rehearsing. As Usdan enters into Week 7, the excitement to see the student work is palpable.
On Monday at Festival, Usdan students, faculty, staff, parents, and other guests will gather in the McKinley Amphitheater to hear works by our Creative Writing students, including our Playwrighting Major students and our Creative Writing Minor students.
On Tuesday, Theater students from the 8-week Major class, The Ensemble, will delight audiences with selections from their production of "Seussical," which they performed this past week at the Lucy Moses Theater.
On Wednesday, former Artists in Residence the International Contemporary Ensemble will debut original works by our Classical Composition students, and Thursday brings more music with a concert by our Senior Orchestra.
Dance students from Choreography, Hip-Hop, and Dance Adventure will bring Festival to close for the week, sending us all off with a little more pep in our step on Friday.
Spotlight on the Composition Major
Hear World Premieres this Wednesday & Thursday
Now in its second year at Usdan, the Composition Program allows Music students from beginner to advance the opportunity to write, develop, and refine their own pieces under the guidance of an experienced composer and educator.
On Wednesday, eight Composition students will debut their work in a performance by professional musicians from the International Contemporary Ensemble. Leading up to the concert, the students will work side by side with these musicians to make sure their final piece is played with their vision in mind. Add this calendar reminder so you remember to tune in on Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. and 12:35 p.m.
On Thursday, history will be made when the Senior Orchestra plays "Intermezzo," written by current Usdan student George Socolow. George (born 2012) is a contemporary classical composer in NYC. His works have been performed by the New York Philharmonic, Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, members of The Knights, the Parhelion Trio, Serenade Duo, Italian pianist Stefano Greco, and many other musicians worldwide. George has been at Usdan for four years, studying composition, guitar, and piano, and has made life-long mentors and had premieres with extraordinary ensembles. View George's full bio here and don't forget to tune in on Thursday by adding this calendar reminder.
Program Note About "Intermezzo" by George Socolow:
"'Intermezzo' is the second movement of my trilogy for string orchestra called 'Three Portraits of an Artist,' which is a trilogy about an artist's creative process. This second movement is about when an artist finds some calm, after the initial stage an artist faces when he admits his artistic unoriginality and inability to create something new and meaningful for the world. Although there is a calmer atmosphere in this second 'Intermezzo' movement, there is still nervousness and anxiety. 'Intermezzo' will be world-premiered on August 15 by the Usdan Senior Orchestra conducted by Dr. Kageki Nagao."
Week 7 Theater Shows
The Theater Department is in full show mode heading into Week 7. Six productions will open across just five days starting with Troupe's "Little Women" on Monday. On Wednesday, things will get a little freaky in Lucy Moses with Junior and Senior productions of "Freaky Friday," followed by Children's Theater production of "Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon" on Thursday. The week caps off with two productions of "13." Plus, all day Friday there will be showcases from each of the four Actor Sings classes.
Break a leg to all our thespians performing this coming week!
Usdan & An Olympic Connection
This year, Usdan and the Olympics have a lot more in common than one would think.
On Friday, Breaking debuted as an Olympic sport in Paris. B-boys and b-girls (or break-boys and break-girls) competed for the gold in a dance form that was cultivated at the parties Artists in Residence DJ Kool Herc and "First Lady of Hip-Hop" Cindy Campbell threw in the 1970s in the Bronx.
This summer, Usdan students have had the chance to learn about the history of Hip-Hop from these two legends. As part of their residency, Herc and Cindy have brought breaking artists to perform at Usdan. In Week 1, b-girl Rockafella performed with her dance group Full Circle Souljahs at Festival and afterwards shared their expertise in an intimate workshop with Hip-Hop Dance students. Also in that first week, A1 B-Boy Sasa, the first break dancer to be called a b-boy at Herc and Cindy's parties, shared his legacy and unstoppable moves with students. Sasa returned for Herc and Cindy's epic Hip-Hop Pool Party, which they hosted at Usdan on August 3.
Next year, DJ Kool Herc and Cindy Campbell will continue their residency at Usdan, teaching a class on the history of Hip-Hop and intro to DJ'ing. Current students can enroll today.
Want to learn more about the history of breaking? Check out this great article.
WEEK 6 IN MEDIA
See more highlights from Week 6 below courtesy of our Photographer, Terryl Whitaker. Plus, see even more photos now on our Flickr. View Week 6.
Have you followed us yet on Instagram and TikTok? We post photos, videos, and more almost daily!
On Thursday, students participated in the campus-wide Red Object Exchange.
The Ensemble, an 8-week Theater Major for Junior and Senior students, performed the crowd-pleasing "Seussical" on Thursday.
Students learning new openings and checkmate patterns in Chess.
On Tuesday, Usdan Alum, former faculty member, and now author Jessica Azenberg visited Discovery to share her newest book "Jack Follows His Heart" with the students.
There's nothing better than friends and ice cream!
On Tuesday, Troupe students met with visitors from AMDA College of the Performing Arts, including Brennyn Lark, who recently starred in "SIX: The Musical" on Broadway.
Students who have been coming to Usdan for five of more years celebrated their milestone over pizza backstage on Tuesday.
With the Senior and Junior Fashion Shows less than two weeks away, Sewing & Fashion Design Majors are bringing their designs to life.
Students finding moments of joy in Yoga class.
Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns
Special Offer for Usdan Students, Families & Friends
October 4 - October 28
We’re excited to welcome back RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns — Long Island’s original and most visited fall event, featuring The World’s Longest Jack O’Lantern Trail!
This year, the woods of Usdan will showcase over 10,000 illuminated objects including 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns, 3,000 specialty lanterns, and hundreds of family-friendly Halloween-themed visual displays.
As a member of the Usdan community, you have early access to tickets at a reduced rate. Tickets must be purchased in advance and every year this event sells out — so grab your tickets today and experience the spooktacular sites and artistry of the RISE.
Calendar Highlights: Week 7
Here is what's coming up next week!
Families of students are welcome to attend Festival performances and join us after for a backstage lunch. Festival performances will also be livestreamed, as well as recorded and posted, to our YouTube Channel.
Monday, August 12
First Day of Week 7 Recreation
Festival | Creative Writing
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Theater Show | "Little Women" The Usdan Troupe
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 13
RESCHEDULED: Spirit Day | Neon Day
Festival | Selections from “Seussical” performed by The Ensemble
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Wednesday, August 14
Theater Show | “Freaky Friday” Musical Theater Sr. Cast
10:30 a.m.
Festival | Select Student Music
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Theater Show | “Freaky Friday” Musical Theater Jr. Cast
1:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 15
Festival | Senior Orchestra
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Theater Show | “Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon” Children’s Theater
1:30 p.m.
Friday, August 16
Spirit Day: Decade Day
Theater Show | "13" Musical Theater Sr. Cast
10:30 a.m.
Theater Show | The Actor Sings, 1st period class
10:30 a.m.
Theater Show | The Actor Sings, 2nd period class
11:30 a.m.
Festival | Dance
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Theater Show | "13" Musical Theater Jr. Cast
1:30 p.m.
Theater Show | The Actor Sings, 3rd period class
1:30 p.m.
Theater Show | The Actor Sings, 4th period class
2:30 p.m.
