By Tomer N., Sixth Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Since 1994, Young People’s Summer Stock (YPSS) has been training talented young artists and helping them to achieve their dreams. Co-founded by mother-daughter duo Gail Schaefer and Lisa Needle, this unique performing arts camp, housed at Garrison Forest School, nurtures artists who are passionate about singing, acting, dancing, music, visual arts and video production. Campers train in their discipline while having the time of their lives. In fact, Needle, who is also the Arts Department Chair at Jemicy School, places “fun” high on her priority list, stating, “I firmly believe that when people are having fun, they learn more.”
Fresh out of college, Needle quickly identified what she thought was missing in many summer camps. There was no shortage of day camps that offered swimming, sports and crafts. However, according to Needle, “There weren’t any intensive arts camps, and I wanted to provide kids with something that was more professional. I wanted to give them something where they had the tools to become actors, dancers and singers.”
Needle started by opening a small theater company, which met on Saturday mornings and included dance, acting and singing classes. Eventually, her company students wanted to continue their training throughout the summer. Needle’s and Schaefer’s passion for the arts coupled with students’ commitment to their crafts led to the inception of YPSS.
Among many other highlights, YPSS is known for its high caliber professional faculty from across the nation. “One of the things that makes YPSS different from other camps is that the teachers are professionals in their field, which means they actually work as actors, singers or dancers. These teachers have been on Broadway, in movies, and they dance for a living,” Needle said.
Hip-hop teacher Coby Mosby choreographs for MTV and commercials, while WaAak, YPSS’s breakdancing teacher, serves as a breakin’ judge internationally. Also, Tony Tsendeas, a YPSS theater teacher, has acted in movies and television shows and taught at the Baltimore School for the Arts for over 30 years. Additionally, the head of the vocal department at YPSS is an international opera star who competes all around the world. “All of our teachers are truly professionals in their fields, and the kids who get to work with them are extremely lucky,” Needle said.
Additionally, YPSS has proven to open doors and create exciting opportunities for many campers who have become professionals. Meital Waibsnaider, a former camper, dances in the Israel Ballet while Elizabeth Bell, another former camper, was cast in the Broadway tour of “The Lion King” in Germany. Jason Berman, who also trained at YPSS, is now a movie producer in Los Angeles. One of his movies won an award at the Sundance Film Festival. He started the video department at YPSS and donated all the technology YPSS needed.
Needle is a friend and supporter of her campers. She relishes in big moments and special accomplishments from year to year. “One of my best memories from Summer Stock was last year when adorable fifth grade twins got onstage and sang “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” together. Their names were Tomer N.” (and yes, she is talking about me) “and Shira N. (my twin sister and a Jemicy student), and it was absolutely heartwarming. Everybody in the crowd started singing with them, and people were crying because it was so touching. They’re amazing singers,” Needle recalled.
Growing up, counselor, teacher, and daughter Sydney Needle watched her mom teach dance every day. She knew that she wanted to dance, too. At age 6, young Needle was old enough to become a camper herself. Today she is a counselor and a jazz teacher at YPSS.
“My favorite memory would probably be the color war when I was the oldest camper on the team. I was basically in charge of my team. It was so much fun, and we also won that year, which was pretty exciting,” said the younger Needle.
Samantha C., a seventh grade KSDS student and a longtime YPSS camper, loves acting and video production. Samantha has attended YPSS for six years; this summer will be her seventh. During her first year at YPSS, Samantha knew only one person. Now, she has many friends from YPSS with whom she always keeps in touch over the school year. She likes acting class because she enjoys doing skits with her friends.
“Lisa makes camp fun, and each year there are different activities. Campers want to come back and see what’s new,” Samantha said.
YPSS’s future shines brightly. “My biggest hope for camp is that children continue to feel happy about what they are doing that we continue to change people’s lives, and that the children who go to Summer Stock continue to pursue a career in the arts. If they don’t have a career in the arts, at least they look back fondly on camp and say, ‘Wow that was the best experience of my life,’” said Needle.
Without fail, YPSS welcomes many returning campers each summer while opening its doors to new ones as well.
“I want to say that the reason they come back is they are learning so much and they love the arts,” Lisa Needle said. “But, honestly, the real reason that most people come back is that they make really close friends, and they want to be with their friends. There are a lot of people who met at camp and ended up being lifelong friends forever.”
YPSS is a camp but also a caring community of serious artists who are passionate about developing their talents under the guidance of superstar teachers. Personally, I am a huge fan of YPSS and of Lisa, and I cannot wait for the summer!
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