Photo Coverage: 9th New York International Piano Competition & 58th Anniversary of The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation Celebrated at The Lotos Club

It's a short walk, but an arduous journey from the Stretcher and Horowitz Foundation's headquarters on 57th street to Carnegie Hall or other concert venues, but Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz make the voyage much easier for talented young musicians.

For more than one-half century Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz, duo-pianists, music educators, composers and educational consultants have been ground zero as an incubator, mentor, supporter, and inspirer of talent in the world of classical music with their Stecher and Horowitz Foundation. Concerned about the future direction for many of the aspiring musicians it trained at their world famous conservatory of music they founded in 1960 in Nassau County, Melvin and Norman realized the next chapter in it's mission was to help gifted young musicians achieve their personal and professional goals through career guidance, artistic development, and performance opportunities. Individuality and excellence are mainstays of the Foundation's core objectives, focusing the young artists' horizons toward the pursuit of a realistic and attainable career in music.

Last night at The Lotos Club, Chairman of The Board William S. Hearst welcomed supporters of the Foundation in a Gala evening that featured performances by Angie Zhang, 2016 Prize Winner and Jun Hwi Cho 2014 Prize Winner of the New York International Piano Competition which will again take place this year at The Manhattan School of Music June 18-22.

Broadcaster, writer,teacher and radio personality Robert Sherman conducted a lively conversation with the pianists about their careers and the influence the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation has had in their lives.

Copy & Photos Stephen Sorokoff

Angie Zhang, 2016 Prize Winner New York International Piano Competition

Norman Horowitz, Co-Executive Director The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation

Melvin Stecher, Co-Executive Director The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation

Angie Zhang

Gala Benefit Evening - The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation

Jun Hwi Cho, 2014 Prize Winner New York International Piano Competition

Jun Hwi Cho

Robert Sherman

Stecher and Horowitz Foundation Gala

William S Hearst, Chairman of The Board

Stecher and Horowitz Foundation Gala

Eda Sorokoff & Gus Rosendale, Board Member

The Lotos Club

The Lotos Club