Selected works performed by outstanding Hochstein students who were named winners of the Hochstein Merit Scholarships. Michael Blum is a student of Gary Palmer and is a homeschooled senior in Penfield, NY, and Jacqueline Hager is in grade 11 at Brighton High School and is a student of Kathleen Murphy Kemp.

Michael Blum is currently taking classes at Monroe Community College, and he will graduate in the spring. Michael has been playing piano for 11 years, but only recently began studying at Hochstein. Michael is very excited to continue studying music at college this fall.

Jackie Hager has been playing the cello since the age of 4. She has been featured as a guest soloist with the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Her piano trio had the honor of being invited to perform for the Rochester Society for Chamber Music two years in a row and Syracuse Society for Chamber Music. She also has performed with the cello group Break of Reality, and has been a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra for four years. She was awarded first prize in the NYSMTA Empire State Competition, the 2018 SUNY Geneseo Young Artists Competition, the David Hochstein Recital Competition, and the 2018 Penfield Symphony Concerto Competition. Jackie enjoys volunteering at ROCmusic, where she gives cello lessons to many young cellists.

Hochstein’s free lunchtime “brown bag” Live from Hochstein concert series is hosted by WXXI Classical 91.5’s Mona Seghatoleslami and broadcast live on WXXI Classical 91.5/ 90.3 FM. The concert series gives downtown business people, teachers, families, students, and friends an opportunity to enjoy classical music by outstanding musicians, including soloists, duets, and small ensembles. 

Sidney and Barbara Sobel have provided continuous underwriting of the Live from Hochstein Broadcast & Concert Series since 1993. Live from Hochstein is also made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.