Instrument: Violin, Suzuki Violin
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2024
Shana Stewart has been teaching strings in the Rochester area for 25 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Music Education and Violin Performance from Ithaca College, and then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Education from the same institution with a concentration in the viola. Shana was also fortunate while at Ithaca to be able to study the Suzuki Method directly from Sanford Reuning at Ithaca Talent Education.
For the past 23 years, Shana has enjoyed a fulfilling career as the Penfield High School Orchestra Director, learning and growing in a district which teaches the Suzuki method as the core of its string program. Shana is excited to open a new chapter in her teaching career with her incredible colleagues at The Hochstein School.
Shana has enjoyed performing locally with the Genesee String Quartet, the Rochester Women’s Philharmonia Orchestra, The Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra, and the Penfield Symphony Orchestra, and she has also enjoyed sharing the stage with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Bublé, and Josh Groban.
Shana loves to teach with enthusiasm and excitement, and she is always eager to show her students what a joy it is to experience music together.
More About Shana Stewart
Hometown: Baldwinsville, NY (Go Bees!)
What inspires me: Finding beauty in all things, connecting with people, my students, and my wonderful family
My favorite local restaurant: The Gate House
What people would be surprised to know about me: I love to garden, to get down in the dirt, to get all muddy, and to help things to grow.