Nicole Davidson went to Usdan as a student and is excited to be back this summer as Co-Chair of the Music Department and conductor for the Junior Band! Her primary instrument is flute, but she loves the sound of all instruments coming together in the band. During the year, Nicole is an elementary band teacher and can be seen presenting workshops to newer teachers through NAfME, NYSSMA, and NYSCAME. She is a four-time quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award.

Don’t Blame the World, It’s the DJ’s Fault! Be in the mix of the history of Hip-Hop and learn what it takes to be a DJ from the creators of Hip-Hop themselves. In this highly interactive, hands-on class, students from beginner to advanced hone their skills in the art of mixing, crate digging, and selecting music under the guidance and mentorship of Usdan Artists in Residence and legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee DJ Kool Herc and The First Lady of Hip-Hop Cindy Campbell, as well as a professional educator and special guest DJs. Over the course of four weeks, students build their

Students will experience the craft of songwriting using direct and indirect musical elements including poetry, percussion, and singing. We provide comfortable spaces for artists to discover their inner lyricists. Turn your stories into songs, write authentic lyrics that focus on arrangement through understanding chord progressions and melodies. We will use our everyday inspiration to write songs collectively and individually. Students will develop a natural understanding of musical vocabulary while experimenting on the basics of a hook and chorus in alignment with the structure of the overall

Whether you’re a practicing composer, or a seasoned musician who wants to dive into the world of composition, this class is for you. Composition Major students continue to learn or enhance their skills in music notation, composition, and orchestration under the instruction of an experienced composer and music educator. Students spend their days writing, developing, and refining either a new composition project, or a project they have already begun, primarily in the Classical genres. In class, students have ample time to bring their compositions to life by collaborating with professional

Whether you bebop, swing, or samba, the Usdan Jazz Ensemble is the place where young jazz musicians come to learn, jam, and perform together. Led by experienced educators and professional jazz musicians and conductors, young musicians get the opportunity to learn about improvisation and collaboration. Instruments include saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums, guitar, piano, and bass. At the end of their session, students have an opportunity to perform what they’ve been working on, either in the amphitheater or the studio. Students must have proficiency on their instrument and the ability to read

Young musicians discover the vibrato of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses that form the core of Usdan's four incredible orchestras. Under the guidance of skilled educators and professional musicians and conductors, Orchestra students come together each day for one hour of orchestra rehearsal and one hour of sectional instruction, during which they study with a faculty member who specializes in their instrument area. The orchestras perform major symphonic works and collaborate with other Usdan ensembles. Orchestra students rehearse in open-air studios with at least one side completely

Improve your guitar playing under the expert guidance of a professional classical guitarist and music educator. Students focus on improving their technique and playing of melodies, chords, and scales. Students experience ensemble practice and performance, deepening their musicality through listening activities and improvisation and exploring their creativity through a series of music games, warm-ups, and fun approaches to composition. One or more years of experience playing the guitar and the ability to read sheet music is required. “I liked the music we played. The teacher was very nice and

Foster your love for music and community in Usdan’s Senior Vocal Ensemble. Under the guidance of professional musicians and educators, students focus on vocal technique, diction, and solo and ensemble singing. Repertoire is chosen from varied genres, composers, and time periods. Senior Vocal Ensemble takes place in open-air studios with at least one side completely open and exposed to the surrounding woodland campus. At the end of their session, students have an opportunity to perform what they’ve been working on, either in the amphitheater or the studio. All levels are welcome. “I liked

A unique program for advanced beginner pianists to develop solo and ensemble repertoire, improving technique, theory, and aural comprehension. Young pianists receive their instruction under the expert guidance of a professional pianist and music educator. One to two years of prior piano instruction is required. Classes are grouped according to age division and grade. “This class genuinely got me way better at keys.” —Ethan “We get to play all at once and listen to each other.” —Giuliana

Enhance your musicality and your ability to play as a soloist and in a duet under the expert guidance of a professional pianist and music educator. Students are introduced to a variety of musical styles, such as miniatures, classical dance and song forms, and Romantic and 20th-century character pieces. Duets among the students are used to foster listening, making interpretive and stylistic decisions, thinking critically while playing, and interdependence. Three to four years of playing the piano and an ability to read music are required. Students are asked to submit a placement video shortly