Dr. Hockenberry strives to provide the highest quality education to students of every age, ability level, and socioeconomic status.  She believes every student who desires a robust music education should receive it.  

Over the years, Dr. Hockenberry has taught every type of player, from day-one beginners to conservatory students at the doctoral level. She knows the importance of creating a solid foundation, eliminating bad habits before they become a hinderance to excellence. She also understands that no two students are alike, and there is not a one-size-fits-all strategy to teaching students how to play the horn. She works with her students to determine how she can best help them reach their unique goals.

Dr. Hockenberry's teaching philosophy is greatly influenced by El Sistema, a youth orchestra system founded in Venezuela in 1975.  El Sistema's founder, Dr. José Antonio Abreu, believed that music education is a fundamental human right, and worked for decades to ensure every young musician in Venezuela had access to free music education. From 2011-2014, Rachel embarked on a journey traveling to El Sistema programs across the United States and in Venezuela to study the process of teaching horn players exclusively in a group setting.