Marty Miller

Marty Miller has been a cantorial soloist for the last 22 years at Central Reform Congregation, the only Jewish Synagogue in the City of St. Louis, MO. She is a professional singer and performer who sang for the Chamber Chorus, St. Louis Symphony Chorus, St. Louis Opera Theatre and several seasons with The Muny. She received a BMA in education and a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri and studied a semester abroad at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England.

Marty has just retired after 32 years as a professional educator. She taught music education for over 20 years and then in 2000, received certification for the state of Missouri in ESL to teach children from over thirty-two countries. Marty has traveled extensively to many third world countries using her music and education background to work with children in their native schools. Among many educational awards, Marty went to Japan on a Fulbright Peace Education trip to learn about the music and education of Japan.

Marty and her husband Michael Hess have three daughters, one son, a daughter in law from Philly, two granddaughters and one grandson. They moved to Philadelphia five years ago to be near their family.

Marty began volunteering in September 2015 for HIAS PA at Spruance Elementary school in the after-school ESL program. She has a passionate commitment to empower each individual student through teaching English and strong support in all academic subjects. She believes acculturation to the US is vital but is respectful and sensitive to the strong cultural practices of the refugee students and their families.