Altissimo is an organization for young musicians that is committed to helping students realize that learning and expressing the music within helps them to grow artistically, personally, intellectually, and socially.
Altissimo, which means “higher,” is an organization that is built on the principle of high standards and is devoted to fostering technical development, artistry, musicianship and community involvement. Altissimo musicians experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from learning, growing, performing and sharing music with their community.
The Altissimo Select String Ensemble is a diverse group of passionate and highly motivated students. The ensemble’s musicians come from ten schools in the Cincinnati area and its participants range in age from 11-16. The group is directed by Ms. Mary Beth Hoagland Khamis, who has been a music teacher and string director in Cincinnati schools for 9 years.
Mary Beth Hoagland Khamis is a native of Louisville, KY. She grew up studying piano, voice and cello. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Cincinnati Christian University. She received a Master of Arts and a Master of Divinity from the Cincinnati Christian Seminary and has furthered her graduate work in string pedagogy and music education at the Ohio State University and at Xavier University.
Mary Beth is the Director of Orchestras for Altissimo. In addition, she is the String Orchestra Teacher for Mariemont City Schools in Cincinnati Ohio. She also teaches piano and cello in private studio. During her career as a music educator, Mary Beth has taught General Music, Chorus, Vocal Ensemble, Musical Theatre, String Orchestra, and Mixed Instrumental Ensemble. She has also led vocal and hand bell choirs for local churches and has served as a pianist from time to time. She has directed choirs and orchestras for local Cincinnati festivals as well as for Walt Disney World’s Magic Music days and Performing Arts Consultants festivals in New York. She has also served as a guest conductor for Jr. High and High School honors orchestras in the tri-state area. Mary Beth is a member of the MENC, OMEA and ASTA.
Most importantly, Mary Beth has a love for kids and a passion for bringing music and the arts into her student’s lives. She believes that a dedication to excellence in music will facilitate success in other areas of her student’s lives and be a source of enrichment not only to them, but to others with whom they share their music. She strives to help kids realize their God-given talents, to grow toward reaching their full potential and to discover the fullness of life that comes from experiencing and sharing the gifts within them.