The Hochstein School Appoints New President & Executive Director

April 26, 2022

The Hochstein School has announced the appointment of Hilary Field Respass as President & Executive Director as of July 1, 2022. Respass has served as Executive Director of Boston University Tanglewood Institute since 2014, and prior to that she held leadership roles at the community divisions of The Hartt School at the University of Hartford in Connecticut and New England Conservatory in Boston. Respass is a 2011 alumnus of the Guild's Community Arts Education Leadership Institute (CAELI).

Respass succeeds Peggy Quackenbush, who announced in September 2021 that this would be her last school year and she would be retiring as Hochstein’s President & Executive Director after more than 40 years at Hochstein. Quackenbush joined the Hochstein faculty in 1979 and has been Hochstein’s President & Executive Director since 1992. Ms. Quackenbush was a member of Guild board of trustees for many years, and was a 2012 recipient of the Guild’s Milestone Award.

Respass says, “As I journeyed through the search process these past few months, I have been moved again and again by the deep pride, caring, and commitment that The Hochstein School has for its teaching, its dance- and music-making, and for every person in its community. It is a privilege to succeed such a strong leader as Peggy Quackenbush, and I am honored and very excited to become part of this inspiring, extraordinary place.”

We want to congratulate Ms. Respass on her appointment, as well as Ms. Quackenbush on her retirement and many years of service!

Read more on The Hochstein School's website.

Published: April 26, 2022