In this preparatory piano class, students learn the fundamentals of piano playing by

studying the geography of the keyboard, pentascales, full-octave scales, contrary-motion scales, note reading, rhythm, triads with inversions, and simple arpeggios. Repertoire is selected from method books as well as traditional favorites and contemporary pieces from pedagogical collections. Young pianists receive their instruction under the expert guidance of a professional pianist and music educator. Classes are grouped according to age division and grade. This class can be taken for the 4-Week A or 4-Week B session, but cannot be taken for both.

Enrollment Note: This is a popular course with limited enrollment and tends to fill quickly. If you are interested in this course, we recommend enrolling as soon as possible.

“I learned more about piano and made friends in the process.”
—Jordan

“The teacher was very supportive and nice.”
—Miguel

Whether you’re a practicing composer, or a seasoned musician who wants to dive into the world of composition, this class is for you. Composition Major students continue to learn or enhance their skills in music notation, composition, and orchestration under the instruction of an experienced composer and music educator. Students spend their days writing, developing, and refining either a new composition project, or a project they have already begun, primarily in the Classical genres. In class, students have ample time to bring their compositions to life by collaborating with professional musicians and composers. The class culminates in a performance of each students’ work by students, faculty, or guest performers, and each student walks away with a recording of their work.  

Major students should have at least one year of experience reading music and have a deep interest in music composition or experience composing. A laptop/tablet with music software, such as Musescore, downloaded is recommended for this class, but not required. 

This class is being offered as a Minor as well. Students looking for a more intensive composition experience are invited to take both the Major and Minor classes.  

Don’t Blame the World, It’s the DJ’s Fault! In this course be in the mix of the history of Hip-Hop — learn what it takes to be a DJ from the creators of Hip-Hop: The Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee DJ Kool Herc and The First Lady of Hip-Hop Cindy Campbell.

Artists will learn how songs speak to each other and put together a DJ mix that represents a multitude of their identities. Learn the art of mixing, crate digging, selecting, and playing music using professional DJ controllers and software. Explore the elements of Hip-Hop in a historical context that also activates a contemporary intergenerational lens for the love of music. Build on active listening skills and improvisation to create an original DJ set that gets the crowd jumping.

The summer will close with a listening party that plays back the sets created by the emerging DJs.

Pre-requisites: No prior experience required. We encourage all passionate music lovers to apply. Students will be asked shortly after enrollment to submit an application form for entry into the class.

Students will experience the craft of songwriting using direct and indirect musical elements including poetry, percussion, and singing. We provide comfortable spaces for artists to discover their inner lyricists. Turn your stories into songs, write authentic lyrics that focus on arrangement through understanding chord progressions and melodies. We will use our everyday inspiration to write songs collectively and individually. Students will develop a natural understanding of musical vocabulary while experimenting on the basics of a hook and chorus in alignment with the structure of the overall song. The class will share their songs for a recorded in-studio performance.   

Improve your guitar playing under the expert guidance of a professional classical guitarist and music educator. Students focus on improving their technique and playing of melodies, chords, and scales. Students experience ensemble practice and performance, deepening their musicality through listening activities and improvisation and exploring their creativity through a series of music games, warm-ups, and fun approaches to composition. One or more years of experience playing the guitar and the ability to read sheet music is required.

“I liked the music we played. The teacher was very nice and thoughtful.”
—Graham

“I learned different guitar-playing techniques.”
—Naomi

Digging deep into the most American of musical forms, students in this class work in small and medium-sized ensembles, with an emphasis on improvisation and collaboration. Led by experienced educators and professional jazz musicians and conductors, this Major includes one period of ensemble work and one period of rehearsal with the concert band. Repertoire reflects the many styles and eras of jazz, from the earliest forms to contemporary jazz. Instruments include saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums, guitar, piano, and bass. At the end of their session, students have an opportunity to perform what they’ve been working on, either in the amphitheater or the studio. Admission to the Jazz Ensemble Major is subject to audition; students will be asked to submit an audition recording shortly after enrolling.

“I was able to learn from a professional jazz musician and improve my playing.”
—Sam

“I LOVE THIS CLASS! This class has gotten me to love Jazz. Our teacher is funny, but he takes it very seriously and there isn't any messing around. My teacher and peers are AMAZING PEOPLE! The older members in the group taught me a lot too.”
—Alejandro

Enhance your musicality and your ability to play as a soloist and in a duet under the expert guidance of a professional pianist and music educator. Students are introduced to a variety of musical styles, such as miniatures, classical dance and song forms, and Romantic and 20th-century character pieces. Duets among the students are used to foster listening, making interpretive and stylistic decisions, thinking critically while playing, and interdependence. Three to four years of playing the piano and an ability to read music are required. Students are asked to submit a placement video shortly after enrolling.

Sample repertoire:

J.S. Bach • Invention no. 1 in C Major, BWV 772

Amy Beach • Children’s Carnival, op. 25, no. 5 (Secrets)

Frédéric Chopin • Prelude in E Minor, op. 28, no. 4

Edward MacDowell • Woodland Sketches, op. 51, no. 1 (To a Wild Rose)

Young musicians discover the vibrato of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses that form the core of Usdan's four incredible orchestras. Under the guidance of skilled educators and professional musicians and conductors, Orchestra students come together each day for one hour of orchestra rehearsal and one hour of sectional instruction, during which they study with a faculty member who specializes in their instrument area. The orchestras perform major symphonic works and collaborate with other Usdan ensembles. Orchestra students rehearse in open-air studios with at least one side completely open and exposed to the surrounding woodland campus. At the end of their session, students have an opportunity to perform what they’ve been working on, either in the amphitheater or the studio. Students are asked to submit a placement video shortly after enrolling and are grouped according to experience, instrumentation, age division, and grade. At least one year of playing an instrument and the ability to read music is required.

Enhance your musicality and your ability to play as a soloist and in a duet under the expert guidance of a professional pianist and music educator. Students are introduced to a variety of musical styles, such as miniatures, classical dance and song forms, and Romantic and 20th-century character pieces. Duets among the students are used to foster listening, making interpretive and stylistic decisions, thinking critically while playing, and interdependence. At least four years of playing piano and an ability to read music are required. Students are asked to submit a placement video shortly after enrolling. 

Sample repertoire:

J.S. Bach • Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 847

Amy Beach • Music for Piano, op. 54, no. 1 (Scottish Legend) 

Frédéric Chopin • Nocturne in E-flat Major, op. 9, no. 2

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • Sonata in F Major, K. 332

“I got to duet with other pianists which I don't usually get to do.”
—Aster

“The class was very interactive with both 1 on 1 and group activities with the teacher.”
—Emily