Usdan Presents 2013 Annual Gala Concert Tonight

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, the renowned summer arts day camp now in its 46th season, will present its annual Gala Concert tonight, July 31 at 7 PM at the McKinley Amphitheater on the Center's 200-acre woodland campus.

The 2013 Concert will feature the World Premiere of two new pieces by Usdan Dance Chair/Broadway choreographer Maurice Brandon Curry, including one set to the songs of Judy Garland. They will be performed by students from Usdan's advanced dance programs, the Ballet and Jazz Intensive and the Ballet Interns. Last year's new Gala work by the Chair, An American In Paris, set to the George Gershwin music and videotaped in performance, was chosen as Dance Spirit Magazine's "Video of the Month"; and performances by the Usdan Jazz Ensemble, Senior Concert Band and Senior Chorus. The conductors will be Adam Glaser (Conductor of the Pre-College Orchestra at The Juilliard School), Orchestra; Robert Dalpiaz, Concert Band; Karen Lehman DiMartino, Senior Chorus; and Andrew Giammalvo, Jazz Ensemble.

Tickets for the Gala concert cost $25, and can be obtained by writing to gala@usdan.com, calling (631) 643-7900, or by visiting www.usdan.com/gala. In addition to the concert-only tickets, there are also special Patron packages available. These include on-site priority parking, a 5:00 PM pre-concert dinner, and priority seating at the Gala Concert. For information, call Patrice Frank at (631) 643-7900.

Usdan Center's Gala Concert is the highlight of its 46th summer season, during which 1,600 children, ages 6-18, study the arts with the Center's faculty of world-class artist- teachers. Students travel to the Center each day from New York City and throughout the Tri-State Area. The Center is situated on a 200-acre woodland campus at 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights (Huntington), Long Island.

Choreographer Maurice Brandon Curry is former Director of the Joffrey Ballet School and has directed, choreographed, and produced events as diverse as the Michael Awards for the Fashion Industry, tours and videos for Diana Ross and Prince.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, whose alumni include jazz singer Jane Monheit, Natalie Portman, Olivia Thirlby and Mariah Carey, has introduced the arts to more than 60,000 Tri-State Area children since its founding in 1968. Usdan's program features more than 40 three, four and seven-week programs in music, dance, theater, visual arts, writing, nature & ecology, and chess. No audition is needed for most programs - rather, admission is based on an expression of interest in the arts. Each summer, 1,600 students are transported to the Center in air-conditioned buses each day. One-third of Usdan's students attend on scholarship. Although the mission of the Center is for every child to establish a relationship with the arts, the unique stimulation of the Center has caused many to go on to arts careers. Alumni include members of Broadway shows and major music, theater, and dance ensembles such as the Boston Pops and the New York City Ballet.

In addition to its regular programs, Usdan offers special opportunities for advanced high school- age performing and visual artists. These include Music Staff Internships, a Summer Ballet Intensive, and a Summer Jazz and Tap Dance Intensive. Usdan Center is an agency of the UJA-Federation of New York.

For more information on Usdan Center, write to info@usdan.com, Call (631) 643-7900, or visit www.usdan.com.

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