Music In Our Schools Month reminds us to celebrate the importance of accessible music education for children and teens. Anyone who has learned an instrument knows its benefits: music study fosters cooperation and empathy while enhancing memory and hand-eye coordination. As this month’s featured alum puts it, “We become great nonverbal communicators as musicians.”

This impact of music education on the well-being of our students is made possible by the incredible work of thousands of Usdan community members working tirelessly as educators and administrators in schools across Long Island and New York City. Thank you for all of the work that you do! 

Music In Our Schools Month also reminds me of Usdan's founding as a summer school — created to meet the need for continued learning beyond the academic year. By offering up to 4.5 hours of arts education every day, Usdan helps students deepen their artistic skills. 

Usdan's intentional structure as a school is made possible by chairs who are at the educational helm of each department. These leaders are dedicated to creating an inviting, diverse, and student-centered curriculum — an arts experience that supports positive youth development at its best.

Speaking of chairs, I have some important news to share about Usdan's leadership. Keep reading to learn more.

Lauren Brandt Schloss 
Executive Director

After 35 Summers Championing Young Artists, Jim Corvaia passes the torch to James Crichton to Lead Usdan's Theater Department

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is proud to announce that beloved actor, director, teacher, and Usdan alum James Crichton will take the helm as Chair of the Theater Department in Summer 2026, succeeding the legendary Jim Incorvaia, whose extraordinary leadership and unwavering passion have shaped generations of young artists.

Incorvaia joined Usdan in 1991 and has overseen more than 400 productions – including five original commissioned musicals – with at least 6,000 roles, and even more costumes! Crichton is a seasoned educator, director, musician, and performer. He brings a dynamic blend of artistic rigor, collaboration, and a deep passion for Usdan — lighting up any studio or stage. 

Upcoming

• The Poet in U Scholarship applications are due Friday, April 10. Writing portfolio (2-3 pages) of any genre required. 
• Music Merit applications are open on a rolling basis through May 1, 2026. Audition required.
• Next Tuition Assistance Deadline:
  • Apply by: April 27, 2026
  • Receive letter by: May 4, 2026
  • Applications, accepted on a rolling basis, required. 
• Tour Dates for Prospective Families:
  • Sunday, April 19 at 11:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. 
  • Sunday, April 26 at 11:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. 
  • Sunday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m.  
  • Tours fill up! Registration required. 

Can't make a scheduled tour? Email enrollment@usdan.org to visit campus on a different day. 

THE USDAN 2025 ANNUAL REPORT 

We are thrilled to share that our 2025 Annual Report is now available to view. The digital report includes a student spotlight of campus dance star Maddox P., original soundtracks from 2025 New Works “Aviva vs. The Dybbuk” and “KABLAM!,” an archive of 2025 Hip-Hop Pool Party fits, and more! View the 2025 Annual Report here. 

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alum earns Oscar nomination

Usdan ​​​alum Meyer Levinson-Blount receives nomination for Best Live Action Short in 2025 Oscars. 

Usdan is hiring for summer 

Help bring the magic of Usdan to life by joining an inclusive work environment. View open positions.

The Empire State Arts Scholarship Program now open

Students grades 6–12 may apply to this scholarship to supplement tuition assistance already received from Usdan. Awards up to $2,000. 

Did you know about these tuition discounts?

Usdan offers alumni, friend, and sibling discounts up to 25% off tuition. Learn more.

ALUM SPOTLIGHT: ZULNIE FLORESKA

Our Alum Spotlights highlight former Usdan students who have gone on to have exciting careers in the arts and beyond. Written to inspire our current and future students, the spotlights show how you can lose yourself for summer and find yourself for a lifetime at Usdan.

When Zulnie Floreska first attended Usdan, she only wanted to do "the fun stuff," like guitar and photography — not what she spent the school year doing, like Concert Band. She didn't like it that much anyway. Her second summer at Usdan, however, her parents convinced her to focus on saxophone, arguing she could still explore other interests in her minor.

Zulnie laughs about this now. Seven months into her role as Band Director at Farmington High School in Michigan — after graduating in April 2025 from Western Michigan University — Zulnie finds her life firmly dedicated to Concert Band.

"I remember becoming my nerdy self at Usdan. That was the first time outside of school where I was around people who were choosing to practice music," Zulnie reflected, describing how when she would return to school after summer, she'd be "on fire" about playing her instrument while everyone else hadn't touched theirs for three months. "I caught the bug at Usdan."

Interested in studying Music at Usdan this summer? Visit Usdan.org/music to learn more. 

Usdanites Out & About

(L-R) Usdan student and 2024 Uniquely U recipient Sam Rosin with acclaimed Usdan alums: composer-conductor Adam Glaser and jazz-vocalist Jane Monheit. Sam attended Jane and Adam's concert on March 8, where Adam conducted the South Shore Symphony to Jane's vocals.  

For the first time since our American Camp Association accreditation last fall, Usdan’s team attended the ACA NY-NJ Camp Conference in Atlantic City, March 10-11. Here, Usdan gathered with over 750 camps in a shared mission to build spaces of positive youth development. 

The trip also included team bonding over huge Philly cheesesteaks, crownings on Miss American Avenue, and foggy walks on AC's famous boardwalk.

(L-R): Executive Director Lauren Brandt Schloss, Director of Capital Planning, Facilities, and Campus Stewardship David G. Buttacavoli, Manager of Buildings & Grounds Michael Batinsey, and Digital Content Producer Mira Petrillo. 

(L-R) Creative Writing Lead Teacher Daemond Arrindell, Director of Eduction Javan Howard, and Usdan friend Michele Kotler  participating in the panel, “Writing in Circles: Nurturing the Art in Teaching Artists” at the AWP Writers Conference March 4-7.     

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!