Summer Dance Program on Long Island
AN OUTDOOR SUMMER DANCE CAMP EXPERIENCE
Dance instruction at Usdan is rigorous, caring, and fun. The Usdan Dance Department prepares children to participate in a creative, contemporary dance community. Dance Majors are taught by experienced dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers. During their time in the studio, students build their technical and expressive skills, learn about dance traditions, and have opportunities to choreograph.
Campers with a wide range of previous training can find an experience that is right for their level and interests. While the majority of our classes welcome all levels, Classical Studies requires previous dance experience. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background. In conversation with families, we register students for classes that we think will benefit them the most.
Usdan’s Dance studios are spacious and mirrored, with vinyl “marley” floors (except for tap dance), and generous skylights that provide natural lighting. Studios are open-air, with two sides completely open and exposed to the surrounding woodland campus.
SUMMER CAMP Busing FOR LONG ISLAND, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens Kids
For over fifty years, Usdan has offered an enriching summer camp experience to children all over the region, from Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn in New York City, to Port Washington and Huntington, and all over Nassau and Suffolk counties. Usdan offers busing to and from camp from convenient central pickup locations. For more information on busing, please visit our Transportation page.
Classes
Classical and Contemporary Repertory (NEW)
Available for
- 4-Week A
Minor and Recreational Activity classes
Broadway Jazz
4-Week A
MAJOR - N/A
Minor: Grades 4–12
Rec: Grades 4–12
4-Week B
MAJOR - N/A
Minor: Grades 4–12
Rec: Grades 4–12
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
Learn new and original choreography from legendary Broadway shows under the guidance of experienced dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers. In this energetic class, students study various dance forms drawn from musical theater and jazz traditions. Dance studios are open-air and exposed to the beauty of Usdan’s wooded campus. Depending on student interest, the class may culminate in a performance showcasing what dancers have been working on. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background. All levels welcome. Classes are grouped according to age division and grade.
“I liked that we were able to have fun while learning cool musical numbers.”
—Janylee
Choreography
4-Week A
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
4-Week B
Major: Grades 6–12
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
For students interested in creating their own dances, Usdan’s Choreography Major provides a space to work solo or in groups, guided by an experienced choreographer. Past classes have crafted works for the studio, for the stage, and even for the picnic tables! All styles—from modern to contemporary, salsa to hip hop, from ballet to jazz—are welcome. Students often build strong bonds with one another as they work toward creating their showcase at the end of the session. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background. All levels welcome.
“You can be yourself, and you get inspired by other people's dance styles.”
—Sabria
Classical and Contemporary Repertory (NEW)
4-Week A
MAJOR - N/A
Minor: Grades 6–12
Rec: Grades 6–12
4-Week B
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
Open only to students who choose the Classical Studies Major, this Minor/Rec class is an opportunity for dancers to focus on performance. Students learn classical pieces and work with a contemporary artist to create new work all in our open-air studio exposed to the beauty of Usdan’s wooded campus. They have unique performance opportunities based on the work studied or created. Three or more years of ballet is required. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background.
Classical Studies (NEW)
4-Week A
Major: Grades 6–12
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
4-Week B
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
Under the guidance of experienced dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers, experienced ballet dancers continue their training and expand their repertoire. A two-hour ballet class in the morning focuses on technique and, depending on student interest, may include an opportunity to perform. Pair this Major with our Classical and Contemporary Repertory Minor/Recreational Activity for a unique opportunity to work with practicing contemporary artists and focus on performance. Dance classes take place in our open-air studios, exposed to the beauty of Usdan’s wooded campus. Three or more years of ballet is required. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background.
Contemporary (NEW)
4-Week A
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
4-Week B
MAJOR - N/A
Minor: Grades 6–12
Rec: Grades 6–12
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
Contemporary draws on modern dance techniques and current-day practices to help students build a strong technical foundation. Students cultivate dynamic movement principles, including weight, flow, opposition, phrasing, and breath, under the guidance of experienced dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers. Dance studios are open-air and exposed to the beauty of Usdan’s wooded campus. Depending on student interest, the class may culminate in a performance showcasing what dancers have been working on. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background. All levels welcome.
Dance Adventure
4-Week A
Major: Grades 2–4
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
4-Week B
Major: Grades 2–4
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
An exploratory dance experience for our littlest dancers, offering a fun and supportive space to try a variety of dance games and styles. In open-air studios that are exposed to the beauty of Usdan’s wooded campus, students are taught by experienced dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers with a variety of expertise. Dance forms explored in this Major may include ballet, jazz, contemporary, and/or tap. Specific styles will be announced close to the start of camp. All levels welcome.
“What I liked most was that I got to be myself.”
—Ahuva
Hip Hop
4-Week A
MAJOR - N/A
Minor: Grades 2–12
Rec: Grades 2–12
4-Week B
MAJOR - N/A
Minor: Grades 2–12
Rec: Grades 2–12
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
The Usdan Hip Hop Minor is back! Under the instruction of experienced dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers, this class combines old and new styles, such as pop, lock, break, and vogue. In addition to technique, students work together to create dynamic dance pieces. Balancing challenging choreography with the students’ own creative influence, this class results in an exciting dance performance. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background. Classes are grouped according to age division and grade.
Musical Theater Dance
4-Week A
Major: Grades 4–6
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
4-Week B
Major: Grades 4–6
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
Immerse yourself in the world of musical theater dance under the expert guidance of dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers. Study jazz and tap dance technique, while also learning about historical works. Dance studios are open-air and exposed to the beauty of Usdan’s wooded campus. Depending on student interest, the class may culminate in a performance showcasing what dancers have been working on. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background. All levels welcome.
“My teacher was really fun and always pushed us to learn more.”
—Rachel
Next Generation: Contemporary & Hip Hop
4-Week A
Major: Grades 4–12
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
4-Week B
Major: Grades 4–12
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
Build skills in contemporary and hip hop techniques under the instruction of experienced dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers. Students learn cutting-edge forms with choreographers who combine traditional and contemporary influences. Dance studios are open-air and exposed to the beauty of Usdan’s wooded campus. Depending on student interest, the class may culminate in a performance showcasing what dancers have been working on. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background. All levels welcome. Classes are grouped according to age division and grade.
“My favorite thing was the freedom and creativity.”
—Brielle
“It was fun, and I loved the choreography.”
—Leah
Tap
4-Week A
MAJOR - N/A
Minor: Grades 2–12
Rec: Grades 2–12
4-Week B
MAJOR - N/A
Minor: Grades 2–12
Rec: Grades 2–12
1-Week Rec
MAJOR - N/A
MINOR - N/A
REC - N/A
Tap focuses on rhythm, coordination, and musicality. Students develop their movement repertory while building confidence, ensemble skills, and discipline. Experienced tap dance educators and professional dancers and choreographers teach specific styles and traditions, ranging from Broadway to rhythm tap. Students practice movement skills, improvisation, and choreography in open-air studios that are exposed to the beauty of Usdan’s wooded campus. Depending on student interest, the class may culminate in a performance showcasing what dancers have been working on. To ensure that our classes best serve the group, our enrollment form includes questions about dance background. Classes are grouped according to age division and grade.
“A great introduction to tap; it made me interested in continuing tap dancing.”
—Claudia
“We learned harder steps than I have ever learned before”
—Melissa