Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey and Pilobolus Dance Troupes Return to Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts for Summer 2017

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts (www.usdan.org), the pre-eminent arts summer day camp on the East Coast-- continues its quest to offer unique and high profile educational partners for students enrolled at the Camp. Today the nonprofit revealed a selection of new classes and the welcome return of high profile dance troupes -The Ailey Organization, Martha Graham, and Pilobolus-to the class roster for the Summer 2017 season. In addition, Usdan's new classes for the 2017 season include Ukelele, Stop-Motion Animation, and Building with Minecraft.

"Usdan has a long history of collaborating with major artists and cultural organizations," says Lauren Brandt Schloss, Usdan's Executive Director. "We're thrilled to welcome back these dance troupes for what is sure to be an extraordinary summer. As well, we're excited to add new classes to our offerings including Ukelele and Building with Minecraft -- all a nod to the balance of modern interests and old school education."

To enroll in the above classes or for more information about the 2017 Camp season, visit www.usdan.org or call 631-643-7900 or 212-772-6060.

nationally acclaimed summer arts day camp that has introduced the arts to more than 40,000 children since its inception, begins its new season on June 26th. All programs will take place at the camp's magnificent 140-acre woodland campus, located at 185 Colonial Springs Road in Wheatley Heights, NY.

ABOUT THE AILEY ORGANIZATION

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (http://www.alvinailey.org) grew from a now-fabled performance in March 1958 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers, that performance forever changed the perception of American dance. The Ailey company has gone on to perform for an estimated 25 million people at theaters in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents, and has reached millions more online and through television broadcasts. In 2008, a U.S. Congressional resolution designated the Company as "a vital American cultural ambassador to the world" that celebrates the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance heritage.

ABOUT Martha Graham

The Martha Graham Dance Company (http://marthagraham.org) has been a leader in the development of contemporary dance since its founding in 1926. Today, the Company is embracing a new programming vision that showcases masterpieces by Graham alongside newly commissioned works by contemporary artists. With programs that offer a rich thematic narrative, the Company creates new platforms for contemporary dance and multiple points of access for audiences.

ABOUT PILOBOLUS

Pilobolus (http://www.pilobolus.org) is an internationally acclaimed Dance Company and arts organization known for its playful approach to movement and theater. Founded in 1971 by a group of Dartmouth College students with no training in dance and no interest in playing by the rules of classical dance technique, has created and toured over 120 pieces of repertory to more than 65 countries and currently performs its work for over 300,000 people across the United States and around the world each year. The company has been recognized with many honors, including a Scripps Award in 2000, a Dance Magazine Award in 2010, a TED Fellowship, a 2012 Grammy® Award Nomination, and several Cannes Lion Awards at the International Festival of Creativity.

ABOUT USDAN SUMMER CAMP FOR THE ARTS

Usdan (usdan.org) offers more than 70 programs in music, dance, theater, visual arts, creative writing, nature, recreation and chess, and annually hosts more than 1,500 students from throughout the New York City metro area. Open to all young people ages age 4 to 18, no audition is required for most filming, and transportation is provided in air-conditioned buses that depart from most New York- and Long Island-area neighborhoods. One-quarter of Usdan's students receive scholarship assistance based on family need or merit. Usdan's mission is for every child to establish a relationship with the arts. Alumni include members of Broadway shows and major music, theater, and dance ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Boston Pops and The New York City Ballet.

Usdan is an agency of the UJA-Federation of New York.