At the Hochstein All-Faculty Meeting on Tuesday, September 7, Hochstein President & Executive Director Margaret Quackenbush recognized Hochstein Violin Instructor Kathy Tarantelli and Assistant Director of the Hochstein Philharmonia Orchestra Matt Osika as the winners of the 2021 Faculty Service Award.
The Faculty Service Award was first given in 1990 to recognize the contributions of outstanding faculty members to the work of The Hochstein School. Nominations are solicited from the entire faculty, from a list of those who have completed at least five years of teaching at Hochstein.
Of Kathy Tarantelli, Quackenbush said, “Kathy has been teaching violin and Suzuki violin lessons and classes at Hochstein for 21 years! During that time she has started countless young children on the violin and taught many, many hours of Suzuki group classes. She is known to all as a lively, cheerful, fun-loving teacher who also gets great results from her students! I think of her as the violin version of the Pied Piper!”
The colleague who nominated Kathy said: “She adds a level of silliness that keeps kids really engaged – and she inspires kids to play beautifully, too. Her energy is contagious, and she can also teach the most difficult students successfully.”
Announcing the award for Matt Osika, Quackenbush said, “Matt has served as Assistant Director of the Hochstein Philharmonia Orchestra since 2009, where he has done everything from providing coaching and conducting support at rehearsals, occasionally subbing for the Director, and running sectionals for wind players.
“Throughout the pandemic, Matt provided technical support in the planning and execution of recorded auditions for all 4 Hochstein student orchestras. … He has contributed greatly and shown incredible leadership throughout his time at Hochstein, for which we all are truly grateful.”
Congratulations to both Kathy and Matt for this well-deserved recognition!