Instrument/Department: cello
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2025
Through many years of high level playing and performing throughout America, Zoe Hardel, cellist, has developed a prolific platform for music making. As a passionate educator, she has taught students ranging from ages 6-45 through years of hosting a flourishing private studio in and around New York City. Zoe has an ongoing interest in creating universal access to music education, and has spent the past year working with the Harmony Program as a teaching artist, bringing high level music education to underfinanced public schools in New York. She has been helping to achieve that same goal by working with her family’s Maine nonprofit, 240 Strings, since 2017.
Hardel holds a degree in cello performance from the Manhattan School of Music, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree from Eastman School of Music with professor Steven Doane. Her most recent notable performance achievement is with Carnegie Hall’s New York String Orchestra, performing two sold out concerts of Beethoven and Mozart in the Isaac Stern auditorium. Other performances include the first 2 Bach suites in concert for the Portland Bach Experience, a European tour with conductor David Loebel, and a performance with the Portland String Quartet for the inauguration of Maine’s current governor Janet Mills, among others.
Zoe was a 2024 winner of the Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition, and had the honor of performing as a fellow in the Robert Mann String Quartet Intensive. She has occupied several summer festivals including Bowdoin International Music Festival, Sitka Cello Seminar, Montecito International Music Festival, and Meadowmount School of Music. Zoe has played for and studied with well known cello figures such as Lynn Harrell, Hannah Roberts, Julia Lichten and David Geber. When she’s not working, you can find her cooking a delicious meal or going for a hike!