Usdan Blog
Alumni/Staff Spotlight | Jun 19, 2023
Ben Boecker (he/they) is an award-winning composer-lyricist, vocalist, and teaching artist living and working in NYC.
"I think the biggest thing I learned at Usdan, that would serve me afterwards when I was competing for roles with more and more people, was how good it feels to be valued for your talent, and that every member of any ensemble can and should experience that."
News | Jun 15, 2023
We’re thrilled to announce that acclaimed orchestral ensemble The Knights will return as Usdan Artists in Residence in our upcoming 2023 camp season, and co-create a new interdisciplinary piece with students inspired by George Gershwin's masterpiece Rhapsody in Blue.
We’re also delighted to unveil BODIES OF WATER, a short film directed by Katalina Gutierrez that celebrates Usdan’s ongoing collaboration with The Knights, and showcases the original music-theater piece The Knights co-created with Usdan students last summer.
News | May 31, 2023
Last month, Usdan was thrilled to host the 25th annual Long Island Regional Envirothon, a challenging environmental competition for Long Island high school students. Over 130 students delivered oral presentations and answered questions on aquatics, forestry, soil, wildlife, and this year’s unique theme - adapting to a changing climate. The winning students won $500 scholarships and went on to compete at the NY State Envirothon. Great job!
News | May 31, 2023
In 2022, our camp theme was WATER. As a community, we learned to appreciate the unique water systems of our forested Long Island home, and Usdan students collaborated with celebrated orchestra The Knights to create a new music-theater piece inspired by and titled Bodies of Water.
This year, we’ll continue to explore what it means to be an artist at Usdan through two summer themes: IMAGINATION, in 4-week A, and HARMONY in 4-week B. These twin themes emerged through conversations with our whole community. Only by using our imaginations in harmony can we create a world we want to be a part of.
Alumni/Staff Spotlight | May 24, 2023
Marie E. Saint-Cyr is a Visual Artist, Muralist, and the Founder & CEO of Saint-Cyr Art Studio, a full-service mural agency.
"My experience at Usdan introduced me to a variety of new art forms, mainly through the daily performances. I gained new appreciation for the other art forms and the arts overall."
Musings | Apr 19, 2023
Thanks to our wonderful community, here at Usdan we have a lot to celebrate!