Our Summer Art Camp Classes

Young dancers are introduced to the basics of ballet in a positive and creative environment. The class focuses on developing strength, flexibility, musicality, knowledge of basic ballet vocabulary and a joy of dance. Open to students trying ballet for the first time.

In this preparatory piano class, students learn and develop the fundamentals of piano playing by familiarizing themselves with 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 $250 for 7-week Minor or $150 for 4-week Minor.

A supplemental minor for theater majors and other aspiring students. Actor’s Craft provides insight to the theory and practice of acting. Physical exercises, theater games, and scene/speech study workshops build skills and help budding actors improve both their performance ability and understanding of theatrical texts.

This intensive course offers students a real taste of the collaborative effort of making a short animation with plenty of hijinks along the way. 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 $500.

Explore building design and architecture as both an art form and vehicle of cultural symbolism. Students learn the principles of architectural design using the same CAD drawing and model-making techniques as professionals. Additional fee of $500.

“I learned a lot and it is really helpful for me. What I like most was designing with the computer and model making.” - Michael

So you want the role, but you're not sure how to get it? Plus… those nerves! This is the course for all aspiring actors who want to land their first big role or achieve thatperfect character. Learn to choose  audition materials, prepare for the audition challenge, work on cold readings, and even chase those butterflies away. Open to Theater and NON-Theater majors. Last Day Cabaret performance allows you to show it all off!

Geared towards students with at least three years of ballet experience and who are excited to develop and expand their training. Through clear 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, and sharpness in turns and ballon in small and big jumps.

“Your flexibility and technique is pushed in fun ways.” –Rebecca

Four concert bands offer exceptional collaboration and performance opportunities for budding musicians of every age and ability. Students participate in one hour of full band rehearsal and an additional hour of sectional study each day. Students must have at least one year of prior instruction and the ability to read music. May culminate with the opportunity to perform in Usdan's famous McKinley Amphitheater. Sixth graders interested in Senior Division must audition.

Learn new and original choreography from legendary Broadway shows! Students will study various dance forms drawn from musical theater and jazz traditions. Open to dancers of all levels.

Often described as "the music of friends," chamber music is a classical genre of music written for small ensembles of two to ten musicians. Chamber music students are coached by Usdan’s renowned faculty in several chamber groups over the course of the summer. Must play NYSSMA level V or VI to be accepted.

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.

This technique class explores the balance of clarity, versatility, and individuality necessary for a grounded contemporary dancer and performer. Contemporary dance 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.

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. I

Students have the opportunity to explore other forms of writing in small collaborative groups, such as poetry, short fiction, and playwriting. The summer culminates with the publication of every student’s work in Usdan’s student-authored literary magazine.

An open environment for young storytellers to write poetry, short fiction, and playwriting in small collaborative groups. Students build imaginative narrativesand 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

Learn how to write your own original fantasy or scary stories while improving your writing skills. Love Harry Potter and Percy Jackson? Who will your heroes and villains be? What will be their quest? What kind of monsters will they fight? In this class, you’ll learn how to develop your own original ideas using emotion and imagination as your tools. In the final three weeks, students have the opportunity to explore other forms of writing in small collaborative groups, such as poetry, short fiction, and playwriting. The summer culminates with the publication of every student’s work in Usdan’s student-authored literary magazine

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 $500 for 7-week or $300 for 4-week.

The 2-week Discovery program provides an exciting exploration of the arts for students currently in Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, or Second Grade. Surrounded by Usdan’s woodland campus, and with the Discovery Center as a base, children are placed in small groups with a college-age counselor to guide them throughout their adventurousday. Children have music, art, dance, and swim multiple days a week.  Additional weekly activities draw from Usdan's diverse arts offerings, such as theater, nature, archery, chess, and photography, as well as opportunities for other choices
throughout the week.

In this video production course, students will use state-of-the-art studios, cameras, recording, and editing equipment to create short videos with a collaborative team of student writers, actors, directors, camera operators, and editors -- just like a professional film crew. Additional fee of $500.

“I recommend this class because our creativity is not limited. My favorite part was the ability to make films with your friends.” -Lucas

Active, fun, and student-driven game play. Students have a daily choice to participate in light recreation sports like basketball, volleyball, Gaga, badminton, and even board games.

Build your stamina and improve your flexibility, while strengthening and expanding your Hip Hop vocabulary. In this energetic class, students will learn both old and new school Hip Hop styles including Locking, Popping, and House. Open to dancers of all levels.

Students receive instructional swim Monday through Thursday. Instruction is based on American Red Cross standards, which can be found on our website. We aim to group students according to swim ability and age. In addition to the lessons, there will be a supervised free swim on Fridays. Swim assessment required.

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. Additional fee of $500 for 7-week Major, $300 for 4-week Major or $200 for 3-week Major.
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)

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. The intermediate ensemble hosts students in grades 6 to 8 who have at least one year of prior instruction. (Sixth grade students will need to audition and, if accepted, will choose a minor in the Senior Division). The advanced ensemble is a three-period program, featuring classes in jazz ensemble, improvisation, and concert band, for students in grades 9 to 12. Audition required for the advanced ensemble.

Encourages students to use Legos in inventive and creative ways. This minor challenges students to use standard Lego blocks to fashion awesome and extraordinary pieces of art and design -- from buildings to characters to musical instruments.

Matinee Idols is a three-week intensive course for lovers of musical theater (open to major and non-majors). This year’s class will idolize Mean Girls, 'the ferociously funny” new musical from director Casey Nicholas (Aladdin, The Book of Mormon), composer Jeff Richmond (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and writer Tina Fey (30 Rock, Bossypants). The workwill be studied and analyzed by the students who will then be accompanied by teachers to a matinee performance in New York City on August 1. 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. Act fast -this is sure to be a sellout! Additional fee of $200.

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

This class explores social media as a medium for creativity and storytelling. Experiment with the new forms of imagery at your fingertips by combining the technology of your mobile device with 200-year-old concepts of photography and film. Investigate the artistic limits, burdens, and freedoms– as well as the risks inherent to social media. Select student content will be used on Usdan’s social media platforms and the class’ Instagram account @mobileusdan.

An amazing opportunity to study musical theater through the entire cycle of a production, including audition, rehearsal, blocking, staging, choreography, ensemble-work, and performance. Students learn to accept casting decisions made based upon their own auditions, discover the joys of collaboration, and develop responsibility as they work together to put on the show. Additional fee of $500 for 7-week or $300 for 4-week.

“The show, rehearsal, and auditions are very professional. My favorite part was the way the company becomes a family and the way the show comes together.” -Myla

Usdan’s amazing woodland setting provides an ideal habitat to study Long Island’s vibrant ecosystems. Through the lens of creative, sustainable environmental solutions, students get their hands dirty as they gain an appreciation of the naturalworld. They learn about flora and fauna through projects like gardening, forest exploration and caringe for the Nature Department's pet snakes, lizards, and tortoises.

“You get to see animals, do crafts, go on hikes, and make new friends.” - Jayden

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

Young musicians discover the vibrato of violins, violas, celli, and double basses that form the core of Usdan's four incredible orchestras. Each day, orchestra students come together for one hour of full orchestra practice and one hour in sectional instruction. The orchestras perform major symphonic works and collaborate with other Usdan ensembles. Students must have at least one year of prior  instruction with note reading. Sixth graders interested in Senior Division must audition.

Acrylic, watercolor, ink, graphite -- oh my! Study and practice together in inviting open air studios, learning principles and elements of 2D art, and developing skills creating still-lifes, landscapes, portraits, life drawings, abstract works, and more. Students gain exposure to contemporary artists while creating their own drawings and paintings to take home.

An immersive experience for young artists interested in painting. Students get the opportunity to work in a variety of styles as they learn the fundamentals of mixing, color, and layering in tempera and watercolor paint. All levels of experience are welcome.

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. Experience recommended for 3-week minor students. Students must supply their own digital camera. Additional fee of $500 for 7-week Major or $300 for 4-week Major; additional fee of $250 for 7-week Minor, $150 for 4-week Minor or $100 for a 3-week Minor.

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

Students spend the majority of their time shooting on-site and outdoors across campus. Focuses on 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. Experience recommended for 3-week students. Additional fee of $250 for 7-week Minor, $150 for 4-week Minor or $100 for a 3-week Minor.

This high-energy team sport has been adapted from the fictional world of Harry Potter to become popular among children and adults alike. Described as a mix between tag, rugby, and dodgeball, Quidditch involves a lot of running, throwing, and catching. Once familiar with the basic rules, Quidditch is an exciting sport to watch and even more exciting to play.

Young sculptors explore three-dimensional forms in wood, stone, clay, plaster, wire, metal, and more. Inspiration is all around as students experiment with new materials and imagery—both representational and abstract—and work together with classmates to produce large scale installations and sculptures.

There is nothing more exhilarating than 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 major choral 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.

Create personal style and wearable art from concept to construction as part of Usdan’s Sewing and Fashion Design program. The beginner course introduces students to sewing machine operation and patterns, and is a prerequisite for Level II, which offers advanced techniques and free design. Students with 25 hours of sewing machine experience are eligible for the Level II class. Classes culminate in an end of season fashion show to share their projects.

Learn to speak the many languages of the guitar. 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.

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. Beginning and intermediate level classes available.

“It was so much fun. Jessica was able to teach kids that were just starting out and kids that have been tapping for a long time in the same room...the same dance... at the same time. It was amazing!” –Cassidy

A unique opportunity to participate in the entire process of producing theater, from audition to performance. Former company members describe it as “summer stock theater for teens.” The Troupe presents one fully staged musical production every year. Recent performances include Finian’s Rainbow, Grand Hotel, Sunday in the Park with George, Carousel, and Cabaret. The Troupe requires an audition and is a full three-period program, no minor. Additional fee of $500.

“My favorite part was everything! The students...teacher... their talent...how much I learned and the overall experience changed my view on performing.” -Alaina

Usdan Dance Ensemble is structured to give our most experienced students the full depth and breadth of Usdan’s Dance program. For this rigorous yet engaging program, students spend all four periods of the day in the Dance department, moving from Ballet in the morning, to Modern Repertory in the afternoon, and a third technique class of their choosing (Broadway Jazz, Contemporary, West African, or Tap) to end the day. Students will need to submit an audition video for acceptance into the Ensemble.

“It opens you up to new styles of dance.” –Kate

This class teaches students the fundamentals of West African dance technique. Classes start with a rigorous warm up, followed by a sequence of phrases across the floor. Open to dancers of all levels.