A Message from Dr.

Quackenbush

Dear Friends,
Welcome to the 2020 Virtual Hochstein Honors Convocation! With this set of performances, we
recognize our most accomplished students: those who have won Merit Scholarships and those
who will complete the Honors Certificate Program this year.
Merit Scholarships were awarded earlier this year in four sets of auditions for music students
(for grades 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12). To participate, students are nominated by their teachers,
and then prepare three contrasting works to perform for a panel of judges that includes
Hochstein faculty members as well as guests from the professional music community. Winners
receive an award that is applied toward their Hochstein tuition. Merit Scholarships have been
established with endowed funds from a number of donors, often as a memorial tribute. We are
so grateful for this support of our students and our program!
The Honors Certificate Program is a multi-year, rigorous program involving individual lessons
and an advanced level course of study for each discipline, music theory and history courses,
annual juries before a faculty committee, and the presentation of a senior recital. Three
students are presenting their senior recitals very soon and we anticipate that all will complete
the requirements for the Certificate. We greatly appreciate the significant ongoing support for
this program from the Davison Foundation!
Each of this year’s performers has spent countless hours – and years! – in practice, lessons,
classes, and rehearsals, and their work has been supported in myriad ways by parents and
other family members, teachers, accompanists – and you, the audience! Thank you for coming
together to celebrate their achievements!
With all best wishes,

Peggy Quackenbush
President & Executive Director
 2020 Merit Scholarship Winners and
Honors Certificate Program Graduates
Merit Scholarship Winners
Grades 5-6
Wendy Brown, violin – student of Kathy Tarantelli Diana & Christina Wang Memorial Scholarship
Noah Busch, violin – student of Pia Liptak Walter J. Holloran Memorial Scholarship
Joseph McQuaid, violin – student of Marcos Kreutzer Dorothy Pund Allen Memorial Scholarship

Grades 7-8
Nathan Bellinger, cello – student of Kathy Kemp Diana & Christina Wang Memorial Scholarship
Lillian Brickman, guitar – student of Tim Shannon Knights of Pythias Memorial Scholarship
Victoria Hayashi, piano – student of Willie LaFavor Lillian Taylor Hubbard Memorial Scholarship

Grades 9-10
Thomas DeFisher, piano – student of Paula Bobb Ruth & Sidney Salzman Memorial Scholarship
Gabriella Graney, voice – student of Sandra Sluberski Knights of Pythias Memorial Scholarship
Luke Pisani, piano – student of Gary Palmer David Romig Memorial Scholarship

Grades 11-12
Joshua Fugate, violin – student of Pia Liptak Dorothy Pund Allen Memorial Scholarship
Katherine Huang, flute – student of Diane Smith Donald Yungkurth Memorial Scholarship
Jett Kopalek, violin – student of Pia Liptak Sydney & Pearl Rubin Memorial Scholarship
Isaac Pollock, guitar – student of Tim Shannon Lillian Taylor Hubbard Memorial Scholarship

Honorable Mention
Lydia Daley, flute – student of Diane Smith
Ji-Mi Jang, cello – student of Kathy Kemp

Honors Certificate Program Graduates

Lydia Geiger, flute – student of Rita George-Simmons
Ji-Mi Jang, cello – student of Kathy Kemp
Agathya Visveswaran, guitar – student of John Wiesenthal
 Program
Welcome
Dr. Margaret Quackenbush, President & Executive Director

Performances
Music for a While Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Gabriella Graney, soprano

Lance Bastian, piano

Roumanian Dances Béla Bartók (1881-1945)

I. Joc Cu Bâtă - Stick Dance (Allegro Moderato)
II. Brâul - Sash Dance (Allegro)
IV. Buciumeana - Dance from Bucsum (Molto Moderato)

Noah Busch, violin

Christine Daaé, piano

Malagueña Traditional
arr. Christopher Parkening

Lillian Brickman, guitar

Suite for Solo Violoncello Gaspar Cassadó (1897-1966)

I. Preludio-Fantasia (Andante)

Ji-Mi Jang, cello

Alpenglühen, Op. 193 Theodore Oesten (1813-1870)

Victoria Hayashi, Piano

Concerto in G Minor, RV 317 Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

II. Largo

Wendy Brown, violin

Sonata, Op. 15 Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829)

II. Adagio

Isaac Pollock, guitar

“Warum?” (Why?), from Fantasiestücke, Op. 12 Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Thomas DeFisher, piano

The Great Train Race Ian Clarke (b. 1964)

Lydia Geiger, flute

*Intermission*

Ukulele Serenade Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

Joshua Fugate, violin

Yi-Wen Chang, piano

The Swan, from The Carnival of the Animals Camille Saint-Saёns (1835-1921)

Nathan Bellinger, cello

Dr. Carl Galland, piano

Danse de la Chèvre, H. 39 Arthur Honegger (1892-1955)

Katherine Huang, flute

Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

V. Gavotte I
VI. Gavotte II

Joseph McQuaid, violin

Chôro Tipico Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)

Agathya Visveswaran, guitar

Estrellita (My Little Star): Mexican Serenade Manuel M. Ponce (1882-1948)

arr. Jascha Heifetz
Jett Kopalek, violin
Julia Lin, piano

Sonata No. 1, Op. 22 Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)

I. Allegro Marcato

Luke Pisani, piano

 About Our Students
Nathan Bellinger, cello • student of Kathleen Murphy Kemp • Diana & Christina Wang Memorial Scholarship
At 13, Nathan Bellinger is the fifth child of Michael and Nerina Bellinger, and is the third to attend
Hochstein. All his siblings play string instruments. In addition to cello, Nathan also plays piano and has
studied organ. He has participated in Hochstein Sinfonia and Hochstein Philharmonia, and will play in
HYSO in the fall. In addition to playing in a chamber ensemble at Hochstein, Nathan and his sister
frequently provide musical support at their church. He is a student at St. John Bosco Schools in East
Rochester. In his free time, he likes to read, play football, and ride his bike. Nathan would like to thank Mrs. Kemp for
her knowledge, support, and encouragement. He would also like to thank his mom – for requiring that he play an
instrument at a young age – and his dad for providing encouragement and financial support.

Lillian Brickman, guitar • student of Tim Shannon • Knights of Pythias Memorial Scholarship
Lillian Brickman is 13 years old and attends School of the Arts as an Art Major. She has been studying
the guitar with Tim Shannon for 8 years. In addition to music, Lillian’s hobbies include drawing,
volunteering at Hipocampo Books on South Avenue, and synchronized swimming with the
Rochester Dolphins.

Wendy Brown, violin • student of Kathy Tarantelli • Diana & Christina Wang Memorial Scholarship
Wendy Brown is 10 years old and lives in Fairport. Wendy has been playing the violin since she was 3
years old, under the excellent tutelage of Kathy Tarantelli. Wendy is presently in 5th grade and
attended the Fairport School District up until this year, before becoming homeschooled. Her hobbies
include swimming, bicycling, and playing with her friends. Wendy hopes to be a teacher or veterinarian
in the future.

Noah Busch, violin • student of Pia Liptak • Walter J. Holloran Memorial Scholarship
Noah Busch is a sixth grader who currently studies at Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton. Noah
participates in orchestra and a chamber group at Twelve Corners, and was named concertmaster of the
NYSSMA All-County Elementary Orchestra in 2020. He has also participated in musicals for a number of
years, playing the title role in the Brighton Summer Arts production of Aladdin, and Schlomo
Metzambaum in Fame. Noah has been a student at Hochstein since he was 18 months old, and has been
playing violin since he was three. He currently participates in a string quartet as well as the Hochstein Philharmonia
Orchestra. Noah is a huge fan of the soccer team Liverpool F.C. and enjoys watching and supporting them. In addition to
watching soccer, he has played on the Rochester Football Club team for the past five years. When he’s not in school,
playing music, or on the soccer pitch, Noah loves to read and do origami.

Thomas DeFisher, piano • student of Paula Bobb • Ruth & Sidney Salzman Memorial Scholarship
Thomas DeFisher is a 16-year-old sophomore at Williamson High School and has been playing the piano
since the age of five. He first studied piano as a student at Braselton’s Music in Marion, and has been a
student of Paula Bobb at Hochstein since 2014. Thomas has played piano at numerous school, church,
and local community events, including the Neighborhood Acting Company’s production of State Fair.
At school, Thomas is a flutist in Concert Band, a pianist in Jazz Band, and a tenor in Concert Choir and
Select Choir. Last November, he participated in the mixed chorus at NYSSMA’s Area All-State Festival. Thomas
volunteers as an instrumentalist at Holy Trinity Church in Webster. Thomas also enjoys theatre and has participated in
several school musicals including Oliver!, The Music Man, and Matilda the Musical. Thomas is involved in several school
sports including soccer, indoor track and tennis. He is also a member of the Wayne Wings U17 soccer team and has been
playing with the organization for the past six seasons.
Joshua Fugate, piano • student of Pia Liptak • Dorothy Pund Allen Memorial Scholarship
Joshua Fugate began violin lessons at Hochstein at the age of three. Since then, he has played in all four
of Hochstein’s youth orchestras and has participated in multiple chamber and choral events. He is
currently a member of the Roberts Wesleyan College Community Orchestra, as well as his church’s music
team. In 2016, Joshua began taking piano lessons from Dr. Gary Palmer, who has been a continual
support in his musical endeavors. In 2017, Joshua was accepted into Hochstein’s Honors Certificate
Program. Joshua is in eleventh grade and is homeschooled by his mother. After graduation, he plans to study Psychology
at Rochester Institute of Technology. Joshua is grateful for the invaluable time invested in him by his violin teachers,
Kathy Tarantelli and Dr. Pia Liptak, which led him to receive the honor of performing on Live from Hochstein.

Lydia Geiger, flute • student of Rita George-Simmons • Honors Certificate Program Graduate
Lydia Geiger is the salutatorian of the class of 2020 at Batavia High School, where she has been a
member of the Band, Orchestra, and Mixed Choir. She has performed in several NYSSMA Area All-State
Bands and Orchestras, in addition to multiple All-County Bands. Lydia has also performed with the
Hochstein Scholarship Flute Choir and the Philharmonia Orchestra. She has performed in masterclasses
with Dr. Christine Moulton, Tamara Thweatt, and Irina Stachinskaya. She will also be performing in the
Honors Performance Series in Vienna, Austria in 2021. At her high school, Lydia has been the president of the Tri-M
Music Honor Society, and a member of the National Honor Society, Math Team, Jazz Band, and Pit Orchestra. Lydia will
be continuing her studies at The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in the fall.

Gabriella Graney, soprano • student of Sandra Boysen Sluberski • Knights of Pythias Memorial Scholarship
Gabriella Graney is currently a sophomore at Brighton High School and is ecstatic to have the opportunity
to be a winner in this year’s Merit Scholarship Competition. Gabriella is also in the Honors Certificate
Program at Hochstein, and sings in Brighton High’s Show Choir, Treble Choir, and Vocal Jazz Group. She
has a deep passion for theatre and has been featured in many productions over the past six years. She is
incredibly grateful for her voice teacher, Dr. Sandra Boysen Sluberski, for all of the encouragement and
opportunities offered to her. Gabriella’s future plans are centered on earning a BFA in Musical Theatre and pursuing
theatre and music as a career.

Victoria Hayashi, piano • student of Willie LaFavor • Lillian Taylor Hubbard Memorial Scholarship
Victoria is currently in seventh grade at Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton. She began studying
the piano at the age of 3 at Paganini Music School in New Jersey. After her family moved to New York,
Victoria became a student at Newburgh Performance Arts Academy and had the opportunity to perform
in front of her first crowd at the Ritz Theatre. That experience and her first place win in her school’s
talent show reinforced her motivation and passion for music. Victoria and her mother eventually moved
to Rochester, and Victoria became a student of Dr. Willie LaFavor at The Hochstein School. Since then, she has enjoyed
playing in Dr. LaFavor’s studio recitals and All-School Recitals, and looks forward to continuing her studies in music.

Katherine Huang, flute • student of Diane Smith • Donald Yungkurth Memorial Scholarship
Katherine Huang is a junior at Pittsford Mendon High School. She has played the flute for nine years and
currently is studying with Mrs. Diane Smith. Katherine is a part of her school’s Wind Ensemble and has
also performed in the pit orchestra for several musicals, including Peter Pan, Sister Act, Les Misérables,
and Cinderella. She has been to numerous NYSSMA All-County and Area-All State Festivals and is a part
of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. At her church, Katherine shares her love for music as a
worship team leader. She also enjoys swimming competitively for Pittsford’s Varsity Swim Team and working with
toddlers at Sunday school.

Ji-Mi Jang, cello • student of Kathleen Murphy Kemp • Honors Certificate Program Graduate
Ji-Mi Jang is currently a senior at Pittsford Mendon High School. She has been studying cello with Mrs.
Kathleen Kemp since the age of eight, and found a passion for Music Composition under the guidance of
Dr. Margaret Henry. She serves as the principal cellist of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
and was principal cellist of the NYSSMA Area All-State Orchestra. As the winner of the Cordancia Toscano
Concerto Competition, Ji-Mi has been featured as soloist with Cordancia Chamber Orchestra. Ji-Mi has
been part of Hochstein’s Honors Certificate Program since 2015, and has performed and attended master classes with
her piano trio. She recently composed a three-movement string quartet, and is looking forward to continuing music
composition and exploring various instrumental combinations. Ji-Mi often draws inspiration from her other hobbies,
including reading, running, exploring new recipes, and listening to works by Shostakovich and Bartók.

Jett Kopalek, violin • student of Pia Liptak • Sydney & Pearl Rubin Memorial Scholarship
Jett Kopalek is a senior at Rush Henrietta High School and is a student of Pia Liptak. Jett began studying
the violin at Hochstein at the age of 4. He is a member of the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra and
plays chamber music outside of Hochstein as well. Jett is a member of the Tri-M Music Honors Society
and National Honors Society at his high school, and enjoys being involved with the music community in
the local area. He is the starting catcher for the Rush Henrietta Royal Comets Varsity Baseball Team, and
plays throughout the summer with the local American Legion Post Team.

Joseph McQuaid, violin • student of Marcos Kreutzer • Dorothy Pund Allen Memorial Scholarship
Joseph McQuaid is a sixth grader at Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton. He has been studying the
violin since the age of six, and currently studies with Mr. Marcos Kreutzer at Hochstein. Joseph’s favorite
activities include playing video games (his favorite activity “by far”), playing the violin, reading, and
playing outside. In the future, Joseph plans to be a programmer or game designer.

Luke Pisani, piano • student of Gary Palmer • David Romig Memorial Scholarship
Luke Pisani is in 9th grade at Hilton High School and has studied piano with Dr. Gary Palmer for almost 10
years. Luke is also an accomplished violinist, and his musical achievements include concertmaster of the
Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra (2019-20), HYSO Conducting Apprentice (2019-20), First Prize
Winner in the Junior Instrumental Division of the NYSMTA Heddy Kilian Empire State Competition
(2019), and HYSO Concerto Competition Winner (2018, 2020). Luke participates in a number of
ensembles, including the Hochstein Saturday String Quartet, Hilton Jazz Ensemble, and Cornerstone Presbyterian Church
praise team. In addition to music, he plays basketball for Hilton High School. lukepisani.com/youtube

Isaac Pollock, guitar • student of Tim Shannon • Lillian Taylor Hubbard Memorial Scholarship
Isaac Pollock is currently in 11th grade and has been studying with Dr. Tim Shannon for the past 5 years.
He has been participating in the Honors Program at Hochstein since his sophomore year. At 17, Isaac is
the oldest of 7 brothers. He is homeschooled and is currently taking classes at Genesee Community
College through the Accelerated College Enrollment program. Isaac is also working on his Pilot’s License
with the goal of becoming an airline pilot! Besides activities at Hochstein, Isaac enjoys playing music with
his family or for church. He also plays bass guitar, guitar, and sings for a Daybreak – a worship band that he and his
friends started. Isaac also enjoys the outdoors, road biking, swimming, playing ultimate Frisbee, and playing the piano.

Agathya Visveswaran, guitar • student of John Wiesenthal • Honors Certificate Program Graduate
Agathya Visveswaran is a senior at Brighton High School. He has been playing the guitar since the age of
six, when he started studying classical guitar at Hochstein with John Wiesenthal. He also is an ardent jazz
guitarist and has been studying with Bob Sneider at the Eastman School of Music for the past 6 years.
Agathya is a four-time winner of a Hochstein Merit Scholarship for classical guitar, and has received
several Eastman Merit Scholarships for jazz guitar. He was admitted into the Hochstein Honors
Certificate Program in 2016 and will be completing the program this year.
Agathya plays for the Brighton High School Jazz Ensemble and has performed in the NYSSMA All-County Jazz Band, at the
Rochester International Jazz Festival, on Live from Hochstein, and in a number of fundraising events. He is a serious
basketball player and has played for the Brighton Barons and various AAU teams. He enjoys listening to many genres of
music, creating digital art, playing with his dog, and hanging out with his friends. Agathya will attend the University of
Michigan this fall and plans to major in Interdisciplinary Physics and Product Design. He will also pursue a Minor in Music
focusing on Music Technology and Production.
 Thank you to our Emily Sibley Watson Society members of 2019-20!
Your support continues the legacy of philanthropy that Emily Sibley Watson started
and helps guarantee access to music and dance for everyone in our community
no matter their age, ability, or socioeconomic status.

Members of the Emily Sibley Watson Society stand at the forefront of a movement to help the School provide
increased services and continually adapt to our community’s needs. Like those School leaders who came
before them, members of the Emily Sibley Watson Society will earn a place in the School’s history
for their dedication to and belief in the power of music and dance education.

For more information about the Emily Sibley Watson Society, visit www.hochstein.org/support
or contact Thomas Graber at thomas.graber@hochstein.org.

2019-20 Emily Sibley Watson Society Members

Anonymous John Lucia & Marianela Olivares Susan Scanlon & Croft Hangartner
Alva H. Angle* Frank & Cricket Luellen Lawrence & Francie Schenck
Tom Acquaviva Joseph J. Mancini Jon & Katherine Schumacher
Henry & Joanne Altland James Maxwell Elizabeth Neureiter-Seely
Gerald & Elizabeth Archibald Elizabeth R. McArarney Christopher & Stacy Shea
Jeanne M.B. Beecher Timothy & Courtney McGinness Sidney & Barbara Sobel
Lynette & James Blake Jon Meccarello & Adele Anderson Michael & Mary Steblein
Margaret & David Burns Marilyn Merrigan Betty Strasenburgh
Carlos & Virginia Carballada Virginia Molino Aaron & Rachel Stuckey
Vince & Roslyn Cassano Steven & Kim Morse Kathleen K. Suher
Spencer & Liz Cook Justin & Kat Murphy Georgiana T. Thoman
Mary E. Cowden Paul & Marie Nasipak Tim Tindall & Erica Harper
Simos & Eleni Economides Pamela & Paul Ness Jeff & Jill Tyzik
Mark Fiorini & Sherry Nau Avice O’Connell & Tim O’Connor Justin & Louise Vigdor
James & Judi Fonzi Anthony & Marigrace Piazza Siva Visveswaran & Meera
Betsy Friedman Darin Price & Elyse Jurutka Sampath
Marion J. Fulbright Charlie & Courtney Pulire Gareth Warren & Kearstin Brown-
Jack Glickman & Jacqueline Davis Margaret D. Quackenbush Warren
David Guadagnino & Mary Jay & Margaret Rachfal Stephen R. Webb
Beauchamp Vincent & Nancy Reale Stephen Wershing & Gaelen
Dean & Janet Gulezian Edward & Karen Rechberger McCormick
Karen Hatch & Dirk Bernold Michael & Missy Reed Tae & Josephine Whang
Margaret B. Heminway Allan & Beverly Reeve Jeff Wright & Betty Wells
Margery A. Hwang Larry & Elizabeth Rice Allan S. Yard
Virgil & Lia Joseph Kikue Rich
Charles* & Daryl Kaplan Ramon & Judith Ricker ESW Charter Member
Glenn & Jennifer Kellogg Victoria T. Romig * Deceased
Werner & Susan Kunz Rachel Rosen & Ronald Wexler
Eric Logan & Anne Kingston Michael & Lydia Rotondo