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About Mrs. Hochkeppel
The full-time Music Specialist and Chorus, Orff Ensemble and Dance Team Director at Sligo Creek Elementary School is Mrs. Mary J. Hochkeppel. She earned her Masters of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. She also received her Orff Certification from George Mason University of Fairfax, Virginia. Mrs. Hochkeppel has been teaching music and directing choirs for 44 years.
Since 2014 to present, Mrs. Hochkeppel has organized, directed and implemented the Sligo Creek ES Chorus to perform in the Music In the Parks Festival at Hershey Park, Pennsylvania. Each year, her choirs have received Excellent and Superior Ratings and Awards, Medals and Trophies in the Treble Choir Division at Festival along with receiving the prestigious Esprit de Corps Award multiple times. The Esprit de Corps Award is given at Hershey Park's Music in the Parks competition to the organization that demonstrates outstanding personal behavior and an exemplary positive attitude of support during the festival. This award recognizes the common spirit existing in the members of the group who collectively inspire enthusiasm, devotion and strong regard for the honor of the group. Furthermore, the Esprit de Corps Award is where students demonstrate a sense of loyalty to the group as well as a caring for unity and strength; this in turn provides confidence and kindness toward treating others with respect.
In 2016, Mrs. Hochkeppel was invited to conduct/present a choral reading session at the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) United Voices Conference in August, 2016 at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
In 2015, Mrs. Hochkeppel collaborated with world-renowned composer and producer, Mr. Jim Papoulis and composed the song, "I'll Shine You Home". This song will be performed and premiered at our Hope For Our Hearts Concert on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
In 2014-2022, Mrs. Hochkeppel was the Associate Director of the Strathmore Children's Chorus of the Strathmore Music Center of North Bethesda, Maryland.
In 2012, Mrs. Hochkeppel was invited to be the conductor for the 2013 Montgomery County Public Schools Fifth Grade Honors Chorus (North County).
In 2011, Mrs. Hochkeppel was the recipient of two 2011 EDUSERC , (Educators Serving the Community)Awards: Educator Serving the Community Award as an Individual and Educator Industry Awards in Entertainment as an Individual.
In 2011, Mrs. Hochkeppel was invited to be the conductor for the 2012 Montgomery County Public Schools Fifth Grade Honors Chorus (North County).
In 2010, Mrs. Hochkeppel was nominated for the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award. This award is given annually by the Washington Post, of Washington D.C.
In 2009, Mrs. Hochkeppel was the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Music Educator Award from Yale University for her ongoing career accomplishments in the field of Music Education. For this award, she received an all-expenses paid trip to New Haven, Connecticut where she joined 50 selected Music Educators from across the nation in order to participate in the 2009 Symposium on Music Education at Yale University.
In 2009, Mrs. Hochkeppel was the recipient of the 2009 Azalea Award for outstanding contributions to the Takoma Park Community, in Montgomery County, Maryland.
In 2007, Mrs. Hochkeppel was selected to participate in the Creating Original Opera Teacher Training Program presented by the Washington National Opera, in Washington D.C.
In 2003, Mrs. Hochkeppel was nominated for the Fairfax County Public Schools TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
In 2001, Mrs. Hochkeppel was presented with the Herndon Optimist Award for Excellence in Best Practices for Education and Human Relations. She was also elected for a second term as President of the Fairfax County General Music Educators Association.
For fun, Mrs. Hochkeppel enjoys singing, dancing, jet-skiing, snow-mobiling, jogging, swimming, hiking, ice skating, roller blading, and boating. She likes to be active in many sporting activities. She also loves to watch football! Go Ravens!
This summer, she celebrated her 43rd wedding anniversary with her wonderful husband, Ken. Ken is the CEO of his own company Enterprise Analysis in Ellicott City, Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Hochkeppel have two beautiful daughters, named Christine and Michelle. Christine is 41 years old and is a graduate of Boston University. Christine is a Professional Photographer and is self-employed in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Michelle is 39 years old and is a graduate of George Washington University. Michelle's major course of study was Art History and she is working on her Masters Degree from Gonzaga University and is a Regional Manager for the High Mowing Organic Seed Company in Vermont. Michelle enjoys organic farm management, creating pottery and helping children with special needs.
Mrs. Hochkeppel's family enjoys spending time together by traveling, shopping, going to concerts, playing games, dining out, going to movies, and visiting friends.
In addition, Mrs. Hochkeppel loves teaching and enjoys working with all of her students each day.
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