The Usdan Weekly # 5 | The EARTH without ART is just EH
I once saw a sign that read: "The EARTH without ART is just EH." As we have been dealing with challenging weather this summer, I find myself thinking often of this slogan. A memory of this week could be of a torrential downpour or could be of music echoing between dewy trees, a photograph of an emerging mushroom, or a poem describing nature's vastness.
As we wrap up the week, I am proud to look around and see that, at Usdan, we really do put the ART in EARTH.
Keep reading for a snapshot of Week 5.
Lauren Brandt Schloss
Executive Director
P.S. Don't forget to get your tickets for the Hip-Hop Pool Party on Saturday, August 8! They're selling fast!
NEW CLASS SPOTLIGHT: MEET THE JUNIOR FESTIVAL SHOWRUNNERS
The theme of the summer is VOICE; the element of the summer is EARTH; and the insect of the summer is ANT. In every summer newsletter, we will provide an update on how these inspirations appeared on campus that week. Here's an update on VOICE!
Our Junior Vocal Ensemble Majors and Minors kicked off the week with a bang, embodying the power of individual and collective VOICES. Check out the recap here.
Tuesday's Festival featured work by Creative Writing Majors and Minors. Here's one poem that spoke to this summer's theme:
If My Voice Left a Footprint
I talked for miles and
My voice left a footprint
Ohh how many beautiful footprints
Leading me through the meadow
And into the forest passing the secret keeping tree
Passing the voices and their beautiful melody
I talked for miles and
My voice left a footprint
Footprints running, leading me through the trees
Leading me out of the forest
Leading me into memory lane
And with every memory it made me more sane
I talked for miles and
My voice left a footprint
Leading me not only through the path of my mind
But through life
Spreading my voice, my story and my song, for all the world to hear
— Anjie M., grade 6
Scenes from PJ Day
Festival Spotlight: The Knights feat. young Usdan alum George Socolow
Young Usdan alum George Socolow first met Colin Jacobsen in 2021 when George was a piano Major and Colin was an Artist in Residence with The Knights. This week at Festival, Colin accompanied an original composition George wrote — a full circle moment for the student-collaborator relationship that began at Usdan.
To introduce the piece during the Senior Festival on Thursday, July 16, George shared that Ray Bradbury's sci-fi novel "Fahrenheit 451" inspired his piece, and Colin remarked on the appropriateness of playing a piece that deals with the symbolism of fire as wildfire smoke hung in the air. The music, described by Colin as "urgent," offered another potent reminder of the ability for art to help us make sense of the world around us.
In addition to their Festival performance on Thursday, The Knights spent the last three days completing their short-term mentorship residency, working with students in the current Classical Composition Major to read and perform their pieces at Festival today, Friday, July 17.*
If you missed the shows, watch the recording here, or plan to visit on Thursday, July 30 for another show by The Knights.
‼️ CALLS TO ACTION ‼️
⭐ *We are looking to partner with friends and alumni of Usdan who oversee organizations that have interest and space for a family concert by The Knights featuring work by Usdan Classical Composition students. Email director@usdan.org if you are interested in working with Usdan on this project!
⭐ Extend to 8-Weeks: Enrollment for our second session (4-week B) running from July 27 – August 21 is still open. Enroll, or extend your session, today! Text 631-646-1677 with any roadblocks we can help clear.
⭐ Add 1-week of Recreational Camp! Our flexible one-week sessions let students experience the fun, friendships, and creativity of Usdan for just one week. Perfect for busy schedules, these sessions fit neatly into open summer weeks.
⭐ NEW! Know someone who would join Usdan if they could experience just one day with us? Join TryU, our new one day arts program for grades 2–12.
⭐ Friend Referral Discount: For every new family who enrolls and was referred by a current family, that family will receive a $150 tuition refund.
⭐ Donate! Usdan has been a nonprofit arts organization since 1968. Please consider donating to support scholarships, campus stewardship, and more.
⭐ Volunteer! Email volunteers@usdan.org if you are interested in contributing to the transformative power of the arts on campus this summer!
What's coming up at usdan
July Community Day: Wed, Jul 22 from 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
- Join us for a day filled with art, performances, raffles, and the magic of Usdan. Thanks to our generous sponsors, this is a free event. Registration is required, and donations are strongly encouraged.
- 2026 Hip-Hop Pool Party: Sat, Aug 8 from 12:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
- Grab your bathing suit, shake off your dance moves, and join us for what promises to be a party for the history books! This is a ticketed event for all ages.
- August Community Day: Wed, Aug 19 from 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Did you know? Tuition includes free access to phenomenal Festival shows for family members and friends. Festival performances, unless otherwise noted, will also be livestreamed, as well as recorded and posted, to our YouTube Channel.
💥 Upcoming performances
- Monday, July 20
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival: Junior Orchestra Majors
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival: Senior Orchestra Majors
- Tuesday, July 21
- 10:30 a.m. | Theater Performance: "Evita" by Senior Musical Theater
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival Performance: DJ Composition Minors
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival Performance: DJ Composition Minors
- 1:30 p.m. | Theater Performance: "Evita" by Junior Musical Theater
- Wednesday, July 22 | Community Day!
- Community Day features all-day programming including two fashion shows, comic-con, and community classes for all ages! Visit community.usdan.org for the full schedule.
- 10:30 a.m. | Theater Performance: "Emma! A Pop Musical JV" by Senior Musical Theater
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival: 2026 Community Day Festival & Award Ceremony
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival: 2026 Community Day Festival & Award Ceremony
- 1:30 p.m. | Theater Performance: "How I Became a Pirate: Younger@Part" by Junior Musical Theater
- Thursday, July 23
- 10:30 a.m. | Theater Performance: "Sleepy Hollow Awakens: A Washington Irving Remix" by Senior Musical Theater (World Premiere!)
- 11:00 a.m. | Discovery Performance & Exhibition
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival: Junior Band Majors
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival: Senior Band Majors
- 1:30 p.m. | Theater Performance: "Sleepy Hollow Awakens: A Washington Irving Remix" by Junior Musical Theater
- Friday, July 24
12:10 p.m. | Festival: 4A Lifer Ceremony + Junior & Senior Dance Majors & Minors
🌈 Next Friday, July 24 is Dress as Your Favorite Character Day! Make sure to remind young artists attending to wear their coziest fit.
Partners in the arts corner
Our Partners in the Arts are our second and third grade students transitioning into a more independent camp experience with the support of mature high school-aged students in our Leadership program. We started this column to share a little bit more about this special department on campus.
"The first week at Usdan is always so much fun, from getting to know the beautiful campus and making new friends with other campers. In the photos I took, we had a fun sing-along Festival with a dance party and a conga line, where students got to enjoy music with their counselors.
My campers also love lunch where we get to sit down and chat. Some of them even set up a little picnic for themselves! It's been a great start to session 4B and I can't wait for the rest of camp full of more joyful moments like this."
— Maya T, grade 10
RISE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
For the fifth year in a row, Usdan will transform into a Halloween wonderland for the spectacular RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns. Wander through an immersive after-dark experience featuring more than 10,000 hand-carved illuminated jack o'lanterns and autumnal refreshments.
Get your RISE tickets today.
Thanks for reading!
Have a great weekend, and enjoy our quote of the week:
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”
― Martha Graham, legendary modern dancer, educator, and choreographer
Do you have any Usdan news we should know about? Write to us at media@usdan.org or tag us on Instagram @usdanarts, and we may feature it in our next newsletter or on our social channels!
