HochStories

Hochstein music history instructor Rob Goodling can trace his musical lineage through J.S. Bach and Josquin Des Pres, all the way back to John Dunstable in the 14th century, thanks to a college professor who shared this musical genealogy with him. Goodling himself has had an impact on many students over the years, including an opera superstar ...

Sixteen talented Hochstein students in grades 5-12 will be recognized at the Honors Convocation on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 2:00 pm. These include winners of Hochstein Merit Scholarships and three seniors who are completing the Honors Certificate Program. They each will perform solo pieces ranging from Bach, Saint-Saёns, and Vivaldi, to Bartók, Copland, and Villa-Lobos. 

Hochstein Board Member Eric Logan is the grandparent of former Hochstein students, an occasional bass addition to Hochstein’s treble choir ensembles, and emcee at Hochstein’s Holiday Prism concert. But until recently, he wasn’t a Hochstein student. Here he is to tell us more in his own words …

About a dozen times during the school year, students who take individual lessons at The Hochstein School perform during our All-School Recitals. With the Hochstein building closed and students staying home during the corona virus pandemic, in recent weeks the recitals have taken to a new platform – Zoom! On Saturday, May 2, 12 students performed their recitals on Zoom, with approximately 30 family members watching (muted and hidden from view).

Kieran is 7 years old and has been a Hochstein student for more than five years. He is a smart, funny boy who also happens to be blind and have some other special needs. His mother tells us, “He started in the FUNdamentals classes at age two and progressed through Musical Stepping Stones. For about the last two and a half years, he has taken piano lessons through the Expressive Arts program. “In FUNdamentals, Kieran’s teacher truly went ‘above and beyond.’ ..."

Two adult students at Hochstein – Katie McAninch and Robert Burch-Lau – met a couple of years ago when they both had voice lessons in the studio of Hochstein voice instructor, Dr. Sandra Boysen Sluberski. She encouraged them to work on some duets, since their voices were compatible, and in March 2018 they sang “First Date/Last Night,” from the musical Dogfight, in a recital on the Hochstein stage. This past summer, they got engaged!

Meet Jackie, our Expressive Arts “Artist of the Month”! Jackie writes: “I’m 21 and have multiple disabilities. I’ve been coming to Hochstein since 2011. At first, I just took art and music therapies. Then I added photography and dance. The classes have helped me develop my talents. My instructors are patient when I’m learning something new. They really listen to what I want to do.”

Congratulations to Pia Liptak, who received the Hochstein Faculty Service Award at Hochstein’s All-Faculty meeting on Saturday September 7! One of Hochstein’s violin instructors, Co-Chair of the String department, and director of the HochStrings adult chamber ensemble, Pia was recognized as a dedicated teacher and for her wonderful rapport with students.

When people think of The Hochstein School, they often imagine school-aged students taking lesson but really, students of all ages find new skills and strengths when they come to Hochstein. Joe Bedard, a Gulf War veteran, came to Hochstein with the desire to try something new. He moved to Rochester within the last year and saw a sign about songwriting classes and came in to inquire. He started studying songwriting with Dr. Dave Chisholm and began writing and singing original songs.

For Louise Vigdor, music therapy is the key to unlocking some of her happiest memories of the past through song. Louise Vigdor has been coming to The Hochstein School for several years now. Working with music therapist Maria Battista Hancock and other therapists in Hochstein’s music therapy department, Louise finds joy as she engages and reconnects with songs she remembers from before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.