Summer Newsletter | Jul 31, 2024
What's New With U? Week 4
Dear Friends,
On Friday, we said goodbye to our 4A Session students, and it was a truly bittersweet moment. We will miss this group of incredible young artists whose creativity, generosiOn Tuesday, the Junior and Senior Vocal Ensembles took the stage each with their own Festival performances. The Junior Vocal Ensemble led by Lindsay Spangenthal shared a program featuring some favorites from musicals such as “The Lion King” and “Annie,” as well as the British folk song "The Water is Wide." The Senior Vocal Ensemble under the baton of Dennis Creighton performed an eclectic program that ranged from Puccini to Simon and Garfunkel and Sting. Watch the Junior Vocal Ensemble performance here and Senior Vocal Ensemble performance here. ty of spirit, and joy made a lasting impression on the entire Usdan community these past four weeks. We played, we connected, we grew, and we left each other filled with so much gratitude. Our hearts are full.
Read on to find out what took place in the last week of 4A, plus special upcoming events, including a dope Hip-Hop Pool Party thrown by Grammy Award-winner DJ Kool Herc and the First Lady of Hip-Hop Cindy Campbell happening less than ONE WEEK AWAY on August 3. And do not miss out on getting first-access to tickets for RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns — Long Island’s original and most visited fall event, featuring The World’s Longest Jack O’Lantern Trail only at Usdan. Finally, save the date for the Re-U-nion Performance on Sunday, September 22 during the late afternoon. More details coming soon!
Dreaming of next summer already? We’ve got you covered. Enrollment is now open for current students and their siblings for summer 2025. Secure your spot here.
Until next week!
Hip-Hop Pool Party —Less Than TWO Weeks Away
Saturday, August 3
12:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Thrown by DJ Kool Herc and First Lady of Hip-Hop Cindy Campbell
Tickets are selling fast for what promises to be the coolest pool party of the summer. Do you have your tickets yet?
Lounge by the pool as you enjoy beats by DJ Hard Hittin Harry, eats by Sids All America and Island Spice, and performances by Rockafella, B-Boy Sasa, and other special guests. Once you’ve had enough of the sun, dust off your moves with Intro to Hip-Hop dance classes, get your zen on with a Hip-Hop Yoga class, perfect your tag in a graffiti class, or jump in on some Double Dutch action. Both adult-only and family classes available!
This party is for ALL AGES! Tickets are $25 + fees for Adults. Enrolled Usdan students and kids ages 0–15 get in for FREE.
Growing & Learning
How did you grow at Usdan these last four weeks?
Our fourth and final theme of the summer: GROWTH. Such a small word for such a big, meaningful concept.
At dismissal on Friday as students enjoyed their Chipwiches, the Media Team asked students how they felt they grew these last four weeks, what they learned, and what they are most proud of. Here's what they had to say:
“I felt that I have grown more confident in my singing and acting abilities by working with my directors. I really appreciate everyone who was in my studios. It was really fun working with them."
-Mia, Age 12
“I learned how to dance. That’s my favorite thing!”
-Sage, Age 8
“I learned how to make very thin lines while I paint. I am proud that I learned a new technique that at the beginning didn’t feel so great. Now it feels fun!”
-Noelle, Age 9
“I was able to make new friends and more connections.”
-Catherine P., Age 12
“I learned that it doesn’t matter about devices. I learned that it matters how much fun you have.”
-Sylvia A., Age 8
“I am most proud of my achievements in Band, playing better, harder pieces.”
-Everett, Age 12
“I’m proud of improving my dance skills every day.”
-Isabelle, Age 9
“I learned in theater when you’re nervous, it makes you more excited, and I’m proud that I got over stage fright.”
-Teddy, Age 9
“I learned about friendship, how to listen, and how to have fun.”
-Giuliana, Age 9
“I learned a lot about how to improve my musicianship and knowledge, and how to express myself. I’m proud of my improvement in my tone quality in my music and in my imagination.”
-Edwin, Age 15
“I’m proud of my swimming because it is getting better and better.”
-Savannah, Age 8
“It’s okay if something doesn’t go your way because then you can improve on it, and you’ll get better as a person.”
-Amelia, Age 17
Embracing Nature with the Green Team
By Sophia W., Student & Member of the Green Team
Located in a beautiful natural world, Usdan is full of all sorts of trees, berries, and animals. Learning how to help conserve and bring sustainability to Usdan helps preserve Usdan's natural beauty. The Green Team, led by Ms. Kalliope Mamais, comes up with fun and creative ways to bring awareness to waste and the natural world during U Time with the collaborative efforts of over 40 students.
Trash in other peoples’ eyes? Not for the Green Team! The Green Team turns “trash” into gems to add art and practical tools around Usdan. Multimedia tile art that decorates the swim hill reminds everyone to make responsible choices regarding consumption by displaying a world overflowing with trash. Usually found against trees or in empty stumps, fairy houses are miniature homes for fairies created by the Green Team using natural materials like wood pieces, moss, leaves, and stones. The bird feeders the Green Team made were built out of leftover plant pots. To mark the start of the trails, the Green Team drew on pieces of cloth and tied them on trees instead of spraying paint.
The Green Team also held meet-ups, including coming together with Executive Director Lauren Brandt Schloss to gain a deeper understanding of Usdan’s rich heritage and natural environment by learning more about its history and geographical features.
Festival Performances Week 4 Recap
Usdan Students Shine in the Spotlight
Junior Band performed at Festival on Monday.
The final week of Festival for Session 4A began with performances from Junior Orchestra and Band. During the first Festival performance on Monday, July 22, the Junior Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Kageki Nagao serenaded students, staff, parents, and guests with a full program of pieces from Haydn to Hammerstein. Dave Schecher led the Junior Band at 12:35 p.m. with an upbeat program of melodious and percussive pieces by American composers and Mozart’s beloved “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” thrown in for good measure (pun intended). Watch the Junior Orchestra performance here and Junior Band performance here.
The Senior Vocal Ensemble closed out their performance with an arrangement of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" accompanied by student percussionist Matt A.
On Tuesday, the Junior and Senior Vocal Ensembles took the stage each with their own Festival performances. The Junior Vocal Ensemble led by Lindsay Spangenthal shared a program featuring some favorites from musicals such as “The Lion King” and “Annie,” as well as the British folk song "The Water is Wide." The Senior Vocal Ensemble under the baton of Dennis Creighton performed an eclectic program that ranged from Puccini to Simon and Garfunkel and Sting. Watch the Junior Vocal Ensemble performance here and Senior Vocal Ensemble performance here.
Tuesday also brought a special Discovery Performance the Amphitheater stage… or should we say Amphitheater jungle! Our youngest students did an incredible job of sharing a story through acting, singing, and dance about how Gerald the Giraffe grows into the best version of himself. You can watch the recording here. Warning: cuteness overload!
On Wednesday, Voices of Broadway returned to the Festival stage as part of our U Benefit day. Broadway singers Joshua Lamon (“The Prom”) and Kathy Voytko (“The Music Man”) — accompanied by this year’s Alumni Award recipient Mat Eisenstein — wowed students with their incredible vocal and acting talent. You can watch the recording here.
More studios from Dance showcased their incredible moves (and poses) on Thursday including our Broadway Jazz, Yoga, Dance Adventure, and Hip-Hop Major classes. Catch the recording of the first performance here and the second performance here.
Friday, the McKinley Amphitheater was packed as all divisions came together for one joint Festival to close out Session 4A. At our Closing Ceremony, we honored our Session 4A lifer students who have been attending Usdan for eight or more years, as well as 4A staff who have been a part of the Usdan community as a student and/or staff for 10 or more years. (At the Closing Ceremony on August 23, we will honor 8-week and 4B lifer students and staff.)
We also celebrated our usher, photographer, and stagehand apprentices, as well as all of our student and staff announcers.
Board Member Renee Lista and her daughter announced the winners of the food waste challenge — the Music picnic areas reduced waste by 25% beating all of the other department lunch areas. Congratulations!
From there, we heard a new poem from one of our Creative Writing students followed by a performance by our Senior Hip-Hop Major students. Our Fashion students struck a pose, our Senior Vocal Ensemble students hit the high notes, and the Senior Cast of "Anything Goes" celebrated Usdan with a song from last year’s hit musical “Camp U," commissioned by Usdan as part of our theater commission program. To close out Festival, five exemplary students of Usdan joined Executive Director Lauren Brandt Schloss on stage to ring the gong, marking the official end. Watch the recording of the Closing Ceremony here.
A moment from the Senior production of "Anastasia"
Theater Performances Week 4 Recap
The McKinley Amphitheater wasn’t the only space on campus ringing with applause this week. The Senior and Junior casts of the musical “Chess” transfixed audiences at the Lucy Moses Theater on Tuesday as they played out the story of a politically driven chess tournament between two grandmasters — one American, one Soviet — who also happen to both be in love with the same woman.
Meanwhile on Wednesday at the Hillside Theater, the students in Children’s Theater performed the delightful musical “Free to Be You and Me.”
Back at the Lucy Moses on Thursday, the Junior and Senior casts of “Anastasia” sung their hearts out, taking audiences on an adventure of self-discovery. Close by in studio T1, students in our inaugural Songwriting class premiered their original works to an excited audience of students, parents, staff, and other guests.
The 4A Theater season closed out on Friday with “Lost Girl” performed by The Actor’s Group followed by Last Day Cabaret, a beloved tradition where Theater students perform musical numbers they have worked on during the summer for fellow Theater students.
Coming Up This Week at Festival...
Scroll Down to See What's On This Week!
Returning Student Enrollment for 2025 Now Open
Return2U Program for Returning Students & Their Siblings
Return2U is an early enrollment program for returning students and their siblings that locks in the best possible tuition rate. It’s an opportunity to promise your child another inspiring summer full of boundless creativity, play, and friendship amid the wonder of 140-acres of natural beauty. Enroll today and look forward to another unforgettable Usdan summer.
U Benefit — What a Success!
Thank you to everyone who came!
Over 500 of you showed up to support our young artists, teachers, staff, and this one-of-a-kind institution that means so much to so many of you.
The entire campus was abuzz and filled with art, smiles, music, laughter, song, and joy. The rain could not help but stay away! From Comic Con and fashion shows to our Classical Composition Major & Minor Performance with the International Contemporary Ensemble and performances by individual music and dance studios, the collective energy and magic of Usdan was on full display.
Community Award recipient Rosemarie Klipper (right) and her husband Mitchell.
We were thrilled to have the opportunity to honor two people who have given back to Usdan in incredible ways: Rosemarie Klipper, the recipient of our Community Award, and Mat Eisenstein, the recipient of our Alumni Award. We thank Rosemarie and Mat for their continued support and for always championing Usdan!
Alumni Award recipient Mat Eisenstein (right) enjoying a moment at the backstage lunch with friend and Festival performer Joshua Lamon.
Couldn’t make it or want to attend again? Be sure to RSVP for our second U Benefit this summer on August 21.
Want to help ensure Usdan’s future? There are many ways you can continue to give back:
WEEK 4 IN MEDIA
See more highlights from Week 4 below courtesy of our Photographer, Terryl Whitaker. Plus, see even more photos now on our Flickr albums from the first three weeks. View Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4.
Have you followed us yet on Instagram and TikTok? We post photos, videos, and more almost daily!
A number from "Chess" performed by the Senior Cast.
Our Junior Orchestra members right before their Festival performance.
A moment from "Free to Be You and Me.""
Senior Vocal Ensemble members at their dress rehearsal for Festival.
Junior Fashion students showed off their designs in a fashion show on Wednesday during the U Benefit.
Songwriting students shared their original works in an intimate performance on Thursday.
Junior Band students showed off their skills in an upbeat program on Monday.
Leadership students celebrated their accomplishments at a special lunch on Friday.
Artist in Residence Cindy Campbell introduced the Senior Hip-Hop Class at Festival on Friday. Cindy is hosting our Hip-Hop Pool Party on August 3. Do you have your tickets?
Students take in their fellow artists' work from all angles at the art exhibition on Wednesday as part of the U Benefit.
A moment from the Junior Cast of "Anastasia.""
When a Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer asks to take a photo with you, you obviously say yes. DJ Kool Herc with Partners in the Arts students. Meet DJ Kool Herc for yourself on August 3 at our Hip-Hop Pool Party. Photo courtesy of Cindy Campbell.
Proud family moment after the Dance Festival performance on Thursday.
Celebrating our 4A lifer students and staff!
It wouldn't be the end of 4A without Chipwiches!
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 5
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, July 29
First Day of 4B & Week 5 Recreation
Festival | 4B Opening Ceremony: Selections from "Little Women" Performed by the Usdan Troupe
12:10pm
12:35pm
Tuesday, July 30
Festival | Faculty/Staff: Aubrey Alvino with Jeffrey Hoffman
12:10pm
12:35pm
Performance curated by Senior Chair, Theater & Lead Producer, Jim Incorvaia
Wednesday, July 31
Festival | Guest Artist: "A Mango in America"
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Performance curated in association with New Victory LabWorks powered by New 42
Thursday, August 1
Festival | Guest Artist: "The Red Trouser Show"
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Friday, August 2
Spirit Day: Pajama Day
Festival | Guest Artist: "Swan Lake" Performed by Sarah Danke Dance Project
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Performance curated in association with New Victory LabWorks powered by New 42
Saturday, August 3
Usdan's Hip-Hop Pool Party
12:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
