Our Summer Art Camp Classes

Students will start by learning the structure of the instrument, basic technique and apply everything they learn to playing music together. While learning simple melodies, chords and scales, students will experience ensemble practice and performance. Students will deepen their musicality through listening activities and improvisation, and explore their creativity through a series of music games, warm-ups, and fun approaches to composition. The repertoire and songs will be chosen together by the students and the teacher. No experience necessary.

In this preparatory piano class, students learn and develop the fundamentals of piano playing by familiarizing the geography of the keyboard, pentascales, full octave scales, contrary motion scales, note reading and rhythm, triads with inversions, and simple arpeggios. Repertoire is selected from method books as well as traditional favorites and contemporary pieces from pedagogical collections. Additional fee of $325 for 4 weeks and $225 for 3 weeks. No experience necessary.

Students will start by learning the structure of the instrument, basic technique and apply everything they learn to playing music together. While learning simple melodies, chords and scales, students will experience ensemble practice and performance. Students will deepen their musicality through listening activities and improvisation, and explore their creativity through a series of music games, warm-ups, and fun approaches to composition. The repertoire and songs will be chosen together by the students and the teacher. Instruments include violin and viola. No experience necessary.

Geared towards students with at least four years of ballet experience who are excited to develop and expand their training. Through barre exercises, students are encouraged to recognize their individual anatomy and learn how to practice ballet in a secure and effective way. Center work fosters an organic relationship to direction and movement as well as an understanding of different movement qualities, such as fluidity in adage, suspension, sharpness in turns, and ballon in small and big jumps. The class culminates with a performance showcasing pieces the students have been working on. Students will need to submit an audition video for acceptance into this class. Audition required. Level determined by Audition.

Beginner: 0-2 years | Intermediate: 3+ years | Advanced: 4+ years, audition required | Open Level: 0+ years, all levels welcome

This advanced technique class is geared towards students with at least 4 years of dance training. Contemporary class combines elements of modern, ballet, and jazz techniques. Each class begins with a grounded warm-up, before moving across the floor into more intricate phrase work. The class culminates with a performance showcasing pieces the students have been working on. Students will need to submit an audition video for acceptance into this class.  Audition required. Level determined by Audition.

Beginner: 0-2 years | Intermediate: 3+ years | Advanced: 4+ years, audition required | Open Level: 0+ years, all levels welcome

This intensive course offers students a taste of the collaborative effort of making a short animation. Students learn hand-drawing and digital imaging skills as they try their hands at every facet of the animation process, from conceptualizing characters and plot, creating frames, and layering audio. Additional fee of $550 for 7 week; and $325 for 4 week.

“Making an animation as a team was fun, and I love my classmates.”-Jason

Students learn the techniques of shooting including safety, balance, form, and timing. This class is appropriate for archers of all levels - beginner to advanced.

“I learned to do something most people have never done!”-Sofia

An exploratory experience for young artists. In this course, students investigate the full spectrum of Usdan’s art offerings, including drawing, painting, and sculpture for a comprehensive and immersive summer arts education.

“You do a lot of fun things, and you have amazing teachers, friends, and things to do!” -Penina

“You get to experience all kinds of art in just one class.” -Sara

In Tap, the focus is placed on rhythm, coordination, and musicality. With an emphasis on Musical Theater traditions, students will learn new and original choreography from legendary Broadway shows. The class culminates with a performance showcasing pieces the students have been working on. Seniors should choose Beginner or Intermediate, based on their experience. 

Beginner: 0-2 years | Intermediate: 3+ years | Advanced: 4+ years, audition required | Open Level: 0+ years, all levels welcome

Learn new and original choreography from legendary Broadway shows! Students will study various dance forms drawn from musical theater and jazz traditions. The class culminates with a performance showcasing pieces the students have been working on. Junior class is all level. Seniors should choose between Beginner or Intermediate, based on their experience. Students choosing the Intermediate level should have 3 or more years of jazz experience.

Beginner: 0-2 years | Intermediate: 3+ years | Advanced: 4+ years, audition required | Open Level: 0+ years, all levels welcome

Often described as "the music of friends," chamber music is written for small ensembles of two to 10 musicians. Chamber music students are coached by Usdan’s renowned faculty in several chamber groups over the course of the session. Must play NYSSMA level V or VI to be accepted. 3 Week minor is by audition. Level determined by audition.

Usdan offers a unique, individualized program for young chess players to hone their experience through tutoring and game play. The Usdan Chess Ladder groups students in varying levels, from absolute novices to advanced players. Individual and group lessons are conducted by highly-ranked tournament players with decades of experience at many of New York’s best schools.

“What I like most was that I got to play many different people with no pressure.” -Dylan

Graphic novels and comics—and the mythology behind them—are heavily ingrained in pop culture. This course offers an introduction to classic cartooning techniques and characters, including thumbnail sketches and breakdowns, penciling, inking, and page layout. Students develop and design their own characters and stories from conception to finished product.

“It improved my skills greatly and boosted my confidence.” -Zoe

Four concert bands offer exceptional collaboration and performance opportunities for budding musicians. Students participate in one hour of full band rehearsal and one hour of sectional study each day. Students are placed in appropriate grade level ensembles and must have at least one year of prior instruction and the ability to read music. Culminates in a performance. Sixth graders interested in Senior Division must audition.Concert band instruments include woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

“I made massive progress as a player and the teachers are extremely supportive.” -Olivia

“What I liked most was the positive learning environment and challenging music.”-Derek

“The music was amazing and I made a lot of close friends.” -Brielle

Learn the ins and outs of creating costumes and props of their favorite characters using materials like foam, fabric, paper, and clay. Create incredible costumes for cosplay, Halloween, or simply for fun. No experience is necessary -- just enthusiasm and creativity. Come with your favorite character ideas or we can help you create one.

"My favorite thing about Cosplay was that you got to bring imagination to life." -Tori

An open environment for young storytellers to write poetry, short fiction, and playwriting in small collaborative groups. Students build imaginative narratives and find their creative voices, while developing concrete elements of storytelling like structure, point of view, and conflict and resolution. The summer culminates with the publication of every student’s work in Usdan’s student-authored literary magazine.

“It encouraged me to be more creative than I thought I could be.”- Rina

“It's a writer's dream. My ideas couldn't flow until I went there. My favorite part was the way every student and the teacher supported each other.” -Soleil

An exploratory dance experience for beginners. Students are introduced to a variety of forms including jazz, modern, ballet, and contemporary dance with an emphasis on creative movement and dance making. No previous dance experience necessary.

Digital 3D modeling has transformed the way designers, architects, and engineers think about creation. In this class, students learn the skills, tools, and techniques to explore and design objects of the students’ choice using 3D modeling software, SketchUp. They will take cues and inspiration from nature, art, and technology to help encourage a different and playful way of looking at design. Their digital designs will be made off-screen into tangible creations using a variety of media, including hand-drawing, corrugated cardboard, foam-core, and 3D printing. Additional fee of $325.

Imagine being cast in a musical whose conflict and characters you helped create based on our own experiences. Devised theater is a method in which a script and/or a score is collaboratively created and performed by an ensemble. Using this structure students will join together to write, direct, and perform the musical of their lives.

Seniors have the use of Usdan's beautiful pools for one period of free recreational swim each day. Supervised and safe environment. Cards and board games will be available in the picnic area for students who prefer not to swim. Swim assessment required.

From American rock, indie, blues, and jazz to classical and Latin, explore the tones and techniques that make the guitar the most versatile instrument in music today. Through ensemble practice, seminars, and improvisational jam sessions, find your groove across many genres and learn how to collaborate in a band/ensemble setting. One year of guitar experience required.

Students focus on the process of writing songs using their guitars as the main tool for composition. Through songwriting exercises, using poetry and short stories as a source of inspiration, students learn techniques to expand their creativity and write their first song, or develop their songwriting skills further. We will have listening sessions with songs by some of the most renowned songwriters, such as Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, The Beatles, and more of the student's choosing. Students will learn to play songs and analyze their forms and structures in order to understand what makes them great. Lyric and poetry writing techniques will be explored through free writing, and students will expand their musicality and “composer toolbox” through a series of improvisation and composition games, all the while learning new chords and guitar techniques. Students will work on songwriting individually and through collaborations with the group. One year of guitar experience required, but no songwriting experience necessary.

You can’t go wrong in improv! Students work on building ensemble, object work, and the essence of a good improvisational scene. Using games, exercises, and other play, students explore relationships, character motivation, and heightening techniques to create compelling scenes and characters purely out of improv.

This class features small ensemble coaching by music faculty. Varied repertoire modern and contemporary composers of the past fifty years. An ideal class for students who are interested in pushing musical boundaries and experimenting with new techniques and sounds. Open to string, guitar, wind, brass, piano, and percussion players. Beginner to advanced students welcome. Students will be grouped according to experience and interest, based on a placement audition.  Note: Ensemble classes will be run based on student selection. Some classes with low enrollment may not be offered, but each student will be placed in one of their selected classes. 

With no musical scoring in the early days of film, movie audiences in 1890s through the 1920s were treated to live musicians who supplied the drama, emotion and entertainment. The Classical Theater Orchestra will perform the score to a classic film from this era. Open to all instrumentalists, beginner to advanced.  Note: Ensemble classes will be run based on student selection. Some classes with low enrollment may not be offered, but each student will be placed in one of their selected classes. 

Students are introduced to a variety of musical styles such as miniature Baroque and Classical dance and song forms as well as Romantic and 20th century character pieces. Duets among the students are used to foster listening and interdependence. Audition Required.  Level determined by audition.Sample repertoire: Bach • Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 847 |  Beach, Amy • Music for Piano, op. 54, no. 1 (Scottish Legend) | Chopin • Nocturne in E flat Major, op. 9, no. 2 | Mozart • Sonata in F Major, K 332. Additional fee of $325.

Geared towards students with at least three years of ballet experience and who are excited to develop and expand their training. Through barre exercises, students are encouraged to recognize their individual anatomy and learn how to practice ballet in a secure and effective way. Center work fosters an organic relationship to direction and movement as well as an understanding of different movement qualities, such as fluidity in adage, suspension, sharpness in turns, and ballon in small and big jumps. The class culminates with a performance showcasing pieces the students have been working on.

Beginner: 0-2 years | Intermediate: 3+ years | Advanced: 4+ years, audition required | Open Level: 0+ years, all levels welcome

Experienced artists will explore contemporary approaches to drawing and painting to create unique artworks. To enroll, students should have taken at least two other painting or drawing courses, at Usdan or elsewhere, and feel comfortable working independently on their own ideas.

Students are introduced to a variety of musical styles such as miniature Baroque and Classical dance and song forms as well as Romantic and 20th century character pieces. Duets among the students are used to foster listening and interdependence. Audition Required. Level determined by audition. Sample repertoire: Bach • Invention No. 1 in C Major, BWV 772 | Beach, Amy • Children’s Carnival Op. 25, No. 5 (Secrets)| Chopin • Prelude in E Minor, op. 28, no. 4 | MacDowell • Woodland Sketches, op. 51, No. 1 (To a Wild Rose). Additional fee of $325. 

Whether you be-bop, swing, or samba, the Usdan jazz ensemble is the place where young jazz musicians come to learn, play, and perform together. Students must be confident on their instrument, but do not need to have previous jazz experience.

“It really improved my music comprehension and ability. I liked exploring new music and charts.” -Andrew

Matinee Idols is a three-week intensive course for lovers of musical theater. The show "Be More Chill" will be studied and analyzed by the students who will then be accompanied by teachers to a matinee performance of it in New York City. Following their theater trip, students will be given the chance in studio to perform scenes and musical numbers from the show. For the final week of camp students will be invited to audition to perform in our famous Last Day Cabaret. Past shows include Mean Girls and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Additional fee of $225.

“I loved seeing the show!”-Jonah

Students learn to design and create art from metal with basic metalsmithing skills and techniques. Majors create their own unique sculptures, jewelry, cutlery, mobiles, and more using hammering, raisting, chasing, soldering, acid etching, bezel stone setting, and bead stringing.

“Metalsmithing is a class where you can experiment, and it's really fun. I liked the whole atmosphere of the class and that you have a lot of freedom to try new things.” -Madison

“There are few limitations, lots of freedom, lots of variety of projects....and blowtorches.” -Margot

“You can’t do this at home!” -Samuel

An open level class that integrates Modern and Contemporary dance techniques such as Limon, Graham, and jazz. Students investigate movement principles including weight, flow, opposition, fall, and rebound and breath. Each class begins with a grounded warm-up, before moving across the floor into more intricate combinations. The class culminates with a performance showcasing pieces the students have been working on. 

Beginner: 0-2 years | Intermediate: 3+ years | Advanced: 4+ years, audition required | Open Level: 0+ years, all levels welcome

An incredible, eye-opening exploratory theatrical experience that introduces young students to basic acting, singing, and dancing, and results in a staged production at the end of summer. Past shows include Strawberry Freckleface, Frog and Toad, and Peter Pan. Additional fee of $550.

“This class gives people a very big imagination.” -Max

A free, open, and exciting opportunity to learn about, explore, and make 2D art – however you choose. With a focus on guiding and mentoring, and less on technique, this open level class centers on the student’s individual projects, processes, and ideas.  Whether it’s drawing, painting, collage, or printmaking, be ready to work independently within a supportive community of peers.

“You get to choose your own path and there is so much diversity and uniqueness.”  -Isabella

A deliciously engaging course where students get to plant, care for, and harvest food from Usdan’s fruit and vegetable gardens. Students also care for the camp’s pet chickens and collect their eggs. Partnering with Olafur Eliasson's Little Sun, this course will also teach students to use unconventional materials to create sustainable solutions and environmentally-focused art and design. Students will use materials such as light, recycled and found objects. In past years, students worked as a team to make a wind powered air conditioner, a bike powered lamp and a sun clock. Additional fee of $550 for 7 weeks, $325 for 4 weeks, and $225 for 3 weeks.

A deliciously engaging course where students get to plant, care for, and harvest food from Usdan’s fruit and vegetable gardens. Students also care for the camp’s pet chickens and collect their eggs. Additional fee of $550 for 7 weeks, $325 for 4 weeks, and $225 for 3 weeks.

“This class is eye-opening. My favorite part was watching my plants grow.” -Aimee

“It's a nice experience learning how to garden.” - Marcus

This course will focus on creative writing that is centered around spoken word poetry. Students will be challenged to write dynamic poems that live both on and off the page as we explore writers and poets in the art of Slam Poetry. The class will record (audio, video) and perform their poetry while also curating podcasts/channels (iTunes, YouTube, SoundCloud) where their spoken works of art can live in the world. Find your voice with us.

Using Usdan's lush wooded campus as a backdrop and their fellow students as photography subjects, students do a deep dive into the principles of composition and lighting, while using Mac computers for imaging, photo enhancement, printing, and digital presentation. Students must supply their own digital camera. Additional fee of $550 for 7 weeks, $325 for 4 weeks, and $225 for 3 weeks.

“Photography class teaches you valuable information on how to take better photos.” -Jenna

WANTED: Rockers, Punks, Indie-Folk Strummers, Shredders, Belters, and Pop Stars!

Giving new meaning to “Band Camp,” this course offers a truly immersive experience. Campers will collaborate in a band setting, choosing their songs and finding the band’s own unique sound and style. Learn how to lead rehearsals, improvise solos, and compose and arrange the songs, all culminating in an unforgettable end-of-summer Rock ‘n’ Roll performance. Open to Drums, Bass, Guitars, Keyboard, Voice, and select Strings. Students will need to submit an audition video for acceptance. Level determined by audition.

Create personal style and wearable art from concept to construction as part of Usdan’s Sewing and Fashion Design program. Students of all levels welcome. Students will be placed into one of two groups based on past experience and interest. Level I introduces students to sewing machine operation and patterns; Level II offers advanced techniques and free design.  Students will be split into levels once they arrive at camp.

“It is really fun and you can make new clothes for yourself. I like how many new friends I made.”-Madeline

“The teachers are nice and caring, and I loved the choices of fabric and activities.” -Kaitlyn

Inspired and created in conjunction with artist Olafur Eliasson’s Little Sun Project, this course teaches students to use unconventional materials to create sustainable solutions and environmentally-focused art and design. Students will use materials such as light, recycled and found objects. In past years, students worked as a team to make a wind powered air conditioner, a bike powered lamp and a sun clock. This class is open to thinkers from all disciplines.

“I enjoyed the tasks that we had to complete using mostly things we found on our own.” -Luke

Learn proper form and develop a love and understanding of the game through a combination of fun, tactical, and non-competitive instruction. Tennis students are placed in beginner or intermediate groups according to their age and level. Four courts will be utilized to maximize court time for all players. All basic strokes will be taught, as well as scoring and situational positioning on the court. Additional fee of $325.

“In the beginning of the summer I couldn't hit a ball, now I can.”-Charlotte

“I like how you play against people at the same skill level.” -Perry

It all begins in the Shop. Learn to bring light, sound, and scenery to life. Students attend daily tech briefings and are assigned to work alongside theater professionals from Usdan's renowned Theater Scene and Design Shop as they prepare shows for the Camp’s fantastic theater season. 

“My favorite part was getting a hands on experience with tools.” -Luke

There is nothing more exhilarating th​an collective voices raised in song. Develop your voice and technique in the study of the fine art of this musical craft. Learn proper breathing technique and diction while studying popular vocal arrangements. The first four weeks of the season are devoted to standard choral repertoire; the last three weeks focus on light classical and Broadway standards. Each class features live piano accompaniment and each session will culminate in a live performance for the camp community and families.

“We learn in a great environment!” -Anthony

“We sing and perform a very wide range of music that is amazing to sing. I enjoyed the whole process of learning the music...and seeing it all come together is an amazing thing” -Kennedy