HochStories

Three Rochester musicians now based in New York City – two of them Hochstein alums! – returned to Rochester for a homecoming of sorts on Live from Hochstein on Wednesday, November 29. The “Songs from Childhood” program featured violinists Epongue Ekille and Ela Kodžas and cellist Allen Maracle, with Bonnie Choi on harpsichord, playing baroque music drawn from the Suzuki Violin Method, but played on historic instruments. read on to learn more about these musicians and see a photo gallery.

Josh Tunningley, a longtime student in Hochstein’s Expressive Arts program, organized a “Day of Giving Back” sponsored by the Flower City Down Syndrome Network, as a way to give back to his community.

On Veterans Day, we remember our veterans – including David Hochstein, the young man who gave up an extremely promising career to fight for our country and inspired the creation of The Hochstein School. Please join us on Saturday, November 11 at 11:00 am), to honor all those who served and sacrificed in WWI and all our veterans who bravely served our country.

At a recent HYSO rehearsal, we took photos of all the students by school. This season, there are students from 29 different schools, plus homeschooled students, coming together every Saturday morning for an accelerated musical experience. See the blog for the photos of all the students by school!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Rochester Flute Association (RFA) Performance Competition held on October 20! First place went to Elizabeth Runion, who is a member of the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra (HYSO) and takes flute lessons here with Diane Smith. 

As soon as Benjamin Timm could talk, he started singing. Now a junior at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School and a member of Hochstein Youth Singers and Hochstein Singers, Ben chose The Hochstein School as his Eagle Scout project, as a way to give back to an organization that has meant a lot to him.

Chuck and Pat Williamson of Liverpool, NY, were married in the Hochstein building in 1963, back when it was still a church. They have come back over the years to take a photo of themselves in the main hall to mark the occasion. 2023 marks their 60th wedding anniversary!

A Hochstein parent shared this photo with us of three Hochstein alums who had their first concert together at the Eastman School of Music in September as members of the Eastman Wind Orchestra.

This fall, Hochstein welcomed nine new faculty members to our ranks! We are pleased to add them to the richly talented and remarkably diverse community that is uniquely Hochstein. Read on to find out more about: Kelton Burnside, Aleena Griffiths, Deborah Norin-Kuehn, Timothy Peters, John Ryan, Herb Smith, Rachel Smith, Ashley Stewart, and Koki Tanaka.

Hochstein Assistant Director and Dean Gary Palmer shared with us some behind-the-scenes highlights about the 16 members of the faculty and staff who celebrate milestone anniversaries with the School this year. Read on to find out which faculty member just loves the winter, despite coming from a warmer climate; which one is a Hochstein alum who has returned to teach here; who is known for baking delectable treats; and most importantly, learn more about their contributions to Hochstein – includin...