Barb Bonisteel

“Miss Barb,” as she is affectionately known by children and parents, has dedicated her career to bringing the joy of music to children and their families. An early childhood music teacher for more than 30 years, Bonisteel received her degree in Music Education from Humber College of Applied Arts in Ontario, Canada.

Her expertise is in early childhood music. She has Level I Orff certification through the Eastman School of Music, and her early childhood training and certification is through Music Rhapsody, Music Together and Kindermusik, all highly regarded Early Childhood music training programs. She has been a member of Hochstein’s faculty since 2001. When she is not teaching, she also works for the Rochester Regional Health System.

In 2018 she received the Hochstein Faculty Service Award for her work teaching young learners with warmth and whimsy. She also was a recipient of the Rochester Philharmonic 2026 Music Educator Award. The Musicians of the RPO honor outstanding educators who ignite a love of music in their students with the Music Educator Awards, celebrating creativity, dedication, and leadership that make a lasting impact.

She developed her own Music to Grow program for ages 6 months through 5 years, which became a beloved offering taught in numerous recreation programs throughout Monroe County for over 30 years. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, she “retired” from traveling to recreation centers, but the heart of the program continues to live on in the classes she teaches today at Hochstein!

She loves cycling and running (having completed two half marathons), reading and walking the shore lines collecting beach glass.

She, along with her husband Tom, call the canal of Spencerport home, and are the proud parents of three and grandparents of three, all of whom have inherited Barb’s passion for melodies, learning, and the belief that music is a gift for every stage of life. Time for Music TIDEO!