Instrument/Department: Choral Ensembles
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 2002
Maryellen Giese joined the Hochstein Faculty in 2002. She conducts the Hochstein Youth Singers (grades 4-12), and the Hochstein Singers (grades 6-12). She received the BS in Music Education, with piano as major instrument and a minor in voice from Nazareth College. Her graduate studies were at SUNY Brockport and the Eastman School of Music. Maryellen is retired from 31 years with the Brockport Central School District where she served as a vocal music teacher and Chair of the Music Department. At Brockport, she directed Choirs and Vocal Ensembles at the Elementary, Middle School and High School levels. For 38 years she directed Youth Choirs and Handbell Choirs at First Presbyterian Church in Brockport and has directed the Senior Citizen Chorus, the “Sweden Senior Singers”, in Brockport since 2003. Maryellen regularly guest conducts honor choruses throughout New York State and enjoys multiple listings in Who's Who Among American Educators. In 2008 she received Rochester Philharmonic Musicians’ Award for Outstanding Music Educators, and in 2009 Hochstein‘s Faculty Service Award. Maryellen and her husband, Jay (also a retired Music Teacher) live in Morton, NY and are the proud parents of two grown sons, Drew and Adam and the addition, two years ago, of a singing GRANDson who now has a new baby SISTER to sing to!