HochStories

Hochstein piano student Uche Ofurum, who studies with Dr. Julia Goodwin, performed Florence Price’s “Ticklin’ Toes” at an all-school recital on February 12. Julia says, “I chose this piece for Uche because of its vibrant elegance. She responded to it with enthusiasm.” Watch a video of Uche playing.

Members of the Hochstein Youth Singers have been working on adding to the mural in Room 11, where the HYS rehearses. Before they left for Boston, Director Maryellen Giese shared some photos and a cool story with us.

This Sunday’s concert by the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra and Hochstein Philharmonia Orchestra features not only the talented student musicians, including cello soloist Joanna Frank, but it also is the debut of HYSO co-principal cellist Amy Feng as the HYSO Conductor Apprentice.

This week, nine members of Hochstein Youth Singers, directed by Maryellen Giese, and their families will travel to Boston to sing in one of the conference’s prestigious honor choirs at the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Region Conference, taking place February 9-12. These students were chosen from hundreds of applicants from Virginia to Maine. 

Hochstein alum Youri Spindler came from a musical family of Eastman professors, and started his time at The Hochstein School as a clarinet player in the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra. However, after discovering a love for dance, Youri’s career path changed. Read on to find out how his experience with Hochstein shaped his future and fueled his passion for music and dance, and how he became one of the first American dancers to train in Cuba since the Cuban Revolution.

All four members of the Duan family – Kelly, 4 (Suzuki violin); Jason, 7 (Suzuki violin, piano); and parents Yunping (flute) and Zhiyao (violin) – are currently taking lessons at Hochstein. Over the holiday recess, they worked on a family music video to celebrate the New Year and Chinese New Year. Read on for more of their story, and to watch the video.

At The Hochstein School, students not only have a chance to learn music and techniques, but also have the experience of performing a concert before a live audience. More than a dozen times a year, students in our individual lessons program perform at the Hochstein All-School Recitals. Ensembles at Hochstein also have numerous opportunities each year to perform concerts together. Read on for stories and videos from recent student performances.

The Hochstein School is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Helen Tuntland Jackson on October 22, 2021 in Cambridge, MA. She served as Executive Director of the School from 1971-1984, and as its Director of Development from 1984-1987. Read on to learn about her important accomplishments at Hochstein.

​​​​​​​This past summer, StoryCorps came to Rochester – virtually and in partnership with WXXI – to collect local stories. Hochstein participated with Assistant Director and Dean Gary Palmer and Expressive Arts Department Chair Jennifer Phillips interviewing each other.

Long-time Hochstein voice instructor and voice department chair Bill Scott has retired from teaching at Hochstein, after completing 42 years on the faculty. Bill came to Rochester to teach in the Rochester City School District in 1969 and was recruited to teach at Hochstein 10 years later ...