This past summer, StoryCorps came to Rochester – virtually and in partnership with WXXI – to collect local stories and Hochstein participated. Assistant Director and Dean Gary Palmer and Expressive Arts Department Chair Jennifer Phillips interviewed each other about their musical background, the different music programs they are involved in, and how they use music to serve the Rochester community.
You can listen using the link below and hear Gary talk about directing a group of choral singers – at age 4! – and Jennifer tell the story of interviewing as a music therapist at Hochstein using a hot pink plastic ukulele.
https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/jennifer-phillips-and-gary-palmer/
Dr. Gary Palmer joined the Hochstein faculty in 2001. In addition to his position on staff, he is also Co-Chair of Hochstein’s Piano Department and teaches piano lessons. Palmer received his Ph.D. in Music Education from Eastman School of Music, where his dissertation topic was the history of The Hochstein School, focusing on mission and vision. Read his online bio at https://hochstein.org/About/Faculty/Piano/Gary-Palmer.
Jennifer Phillips joined the Hochstein faculty in 2017 and was named Expressive Arts Department Chair in June 2019. Jennifer Phillips is a board-certified music therapist specializing in early intervention, elder care, and stroke rehabilitation. In addition to her work as a music therapist, Phillips is also a certified early childhood music educator. She sings professionally and is past member of Concentus Women’s Chorus, Eastman-Rochester Chorus, Williamsburg Bach Choir, and Cantori Choral Ensemble. Read her online profile at https://hochstein.org/About/Faculty/Expressive-Arts-Music-Art-Dance-Therapy/Jennifer-R-Phillips.
StoryCorps works to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world. StoryCorps was born in 2003 with the opening of a story booth in Grand Central Terminal in New York City and two years later, weekly broadcasts began airing on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition. All interviews are preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Learn more at https://storycorps.org.