As 2023 draws to a close, we look back at some highlights of this past year for Hochstein’s Year in Review!
JANUARY: Hochstein Alumni Orchestra concert
In January 2023, we did a story on our #HochStories blog about the Hochstein Alumni Orchestra. Former Hochstein students came from around the region to participate in this special concert, and a few flew back to Rochester just for the occasion. After two rehearsals, they presented an evening of music by Dvořák, Nielsen, and Darvishi, conducted by Director Evan Meccarello, with flute soloist Katrina King Nicholson. Click here to see the full story and a photo album.
(Plus save the date for the upcoming Hochstein Alumni Orchestra concert on Friday, January 5, 2024. More info at: https://hochstein.org/Calendar/Calendar-of-Events.)
FEBRUARY: Love Your Pet Day
For National “Love Your Pet Day,” February 20, we asked Hochstein faculty and staff to send in photos of themselves and their companion animals. Lots of cats, dogs, and even chickens and a horse! See the #HochStories blog to read more about our people and their pets and see photo captions and even a video of a dog that sings along with piano music. It’s always a good time to give your pets a little extra love! Click here to see the full story and more photos.
MARCH: Hochstein alums hike the Appalachian Trail
On March 4, two Hochstein alums marched forth on a new adventure. Friends since they were in the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra together, Jake Kinney (trumpet) and Sophie Wiltse (violin) set off to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine! We followed their adventures throughout the year and celebrated when Jake completed the hike in September, after 2,198 miles and 187 days. Click here to read more.
APRIL: Joseph Avenue African Drumming class
In April, we shared news about a new weekly African Drumming class led by Hochstein instructor Adrianne Santucci at Baden Street Settlement, part of a new collaboration between The Hochstein School, Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance (JAACA), and Garth Fagan Dance. The School’s first location was in the Hochstein family home on Joseph Avenue and JAACA is working on creating a new arts center in the neighborhood. This marked a return to Hochstein’s roots dating back more than 100 years! Click here to read the HochStories blog story.
MAY: Expressive Arts group music classes at Hickok Center
For more than 45 years, Hochstein’s Expressive Arts Program has served the Rochester community by offering music, art, and dance therapy; adaptive lessons; and wellness sessions – both at Hochstein and through group programs at more than 60 sites each week. In May, we wrote about how Hochstein’s group music classes at the Hickok Center for Brain Injury enable healing and self-expression. Click here to read more and watch a video, thanks to our friends at Crystal Pix.
JUNE: YMCA Making Music Making Strides program
Preschool children from the Making Music, Making Strides program – a partnership between Hochstein and the YMCA of Greater Rochester – performed their end-of-year concert in the Performance Hall, which included singing, movement, and percussion. These classes, provided at no cost to families, help children to develop not only as musicians and dancers but also as complete learners. Click here to read more about the program and see pictures and a video, thanks to our friends at Crystal Pix.
JULY: Arts in Action summer camps unlock a child’s imagination
Hochstein’s weeklong Arts in Action Summer Camps take young children on a journey filled with music, art, and movement. This summer, the three sessions covered topics ranging from dinosaurs and paleontology to the instruments, songs, and dances of jazz to food and cooking. Click here to read more about Hochstein summer camps and view a photo album.
AUGUST: New Summer Dance Camp explores many ways of moving
At the new “Around the World of Dance” summer camp this past August – led by Dance Department Chair Wynton Rice – students learned many different styles of dance, including contemporary, modern, hip hop, and Afrobeats. Each day, the dancers worked with Wynton and with special guest instructors, such as Darren Stevenson of PUSH Physical Theatre, who led a workshop on new ways to move your body. Click here to read more and view a photo album on the HochStories blog.
(P.S. “Around the World of Dance” continues this winter with a new February Break Week Dance Camp. Find out more at: https://hochstein.org/Dance/Winter-Dance-Camp-Around-the-World-of-Dance-Part-2-Latin-and-More.)
SEPTEMBER – Milestone anniversaries for faculty and staff
At the Hochstein All-Faculty Meeting on Tuesday, September 5, Hochstein President & Executive Director Hilary Respass recognized 16 members of the faculty and staff for milestone anniversaries with the School, from 5 years to 45 years. In addition, Marcos Kreutzer received the 2023 Faculty Service Award. Hochstein’s dedicated faculty and staff are the lifeblood of this organization and we are grateful for all of their contributions. Click here to read more about all the faculty and staff members who were recognized.
OCTOBER – Hochstein student gives back with Eagle Scout project
A member of Hochstein’s choral ensembles for more than 10 years, Benjamin Timm chose to make Hochstein his Eagle Scout project. On October 9, he led other boys in his troop (with parental assistance) in making a few improvements to our building and coordinated the whole project at no cost to Hochstein. Click here to read more about Ben and his Eagle Scout project.
NOVEMBER – Hochstein alumni return for Live from Hochstein performance
Three Rochester musicians now based in New York City – two of them Hochstein alums! – returned to Rochester for the Live from Hochstein concert on November 29. The “Songs from Childhood” program featured violinists Epongue Ekille and Ela Kodžas and cellist Allen Maracle, with Bonnie Choi on harpsichord. They performed baroque music drawn from the Suzuki Violin Method, but played on historic instruments. Click here to read more about each of the musicians and see a photo gallery from the concert.
DECEMBER: Masterclasses with visiting artists
As an added value to their weekly lessons, advanced students at Hochstein periodically have the opportunity to participate in masterclasses with visiting artists. Brendon Elliott and Thapelo Masita gave masterclasses in connection with their Gateways Music Festival appearance. Former Hochstein faculty member Cora Swenson Lee held a cello masterclass; and Natasha Farny gave a masterclass following her appearance on Live from Hochstein with the Ekstasis Duo. Click here to find out more and see photo albums.