Gateway Prize
Career Grants

THE LEGEND OF
THE STECHER AND HOROWITZ FOUNDATION

65 Years Ago The Stecher and Horowitz School of Music Opened (1960-1999).

40 Years Later, it Transitioned to The New York International Piano Competition (2002-2022).

Moving Forward in 2025, The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, in Collaboration with
The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Announces:

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation-MTNA
$25,000 Gateway Prize for Advancement in the Arts

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation-MTNA
$10,000 Joyce B. Cowin Career Grant

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA
$10,000 Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz Career Grant

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The Gateway Prize and the Career Grants are funded by
The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, and will be presented annually
at the MTNA National Conference.

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The Gateway Prize and the Career Grants were created by The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation. Shortly afterward, the Foundation collaborated with the Music Teachers National Association, with the orchestration, encouragement, and wisdom of Dr. Gary L. Ingle, immediate past Executive Director and CEO of MTNA. The Gateway Prize and the Career Grants were designed to award accomplished classical pianists worthy of recognition, who desire to further their dreams of success in this ever-changing world of the performing artist. Moving forward, The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation has extended its philanthropy with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), making these awards accessible nationwide.

Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz, have been affiliated with MTNA for more than 50 years. Throughout these five decades, the duo-pianists have been recognized and honored by MTNA. They were first honored in 1988 for their Distinguished Service to America, and were also the Convention Artists. In 2012, they received the Citation for Leadership, the third recipients of the award in the 136-year history of MTNA. In 2023, Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz received the Achievement Award, MTNA’s highest honor, only bestowed upon individuals and entities that have made significant and lasting contributions to the music teaching profession.

MTNA has been at the forefront in their own careers. Their philosophy in directing a school of the arts for 40 years incorporated the credo and standards of MTNA. The same standards were incorporated into The New York International Piano Competition, a world-renowned competition that existed from 2002-2022. Their philanthropy has reflected a deep, abiding commitment to MTNA, its programs, and its members. Beginning with the establishment of the Stecher and Horowitz Endowment Fund, which supports the continuing education of music teachers, it expanded in 2017 to include the establishment of the MTNA—Stecher & Horowitz Two Piano Competition, with prizes totaling $10,000. It was followed in 2021 with the establishment of the $10,000 Power of Innovation Award. In 2024, they established the Gary L. Ingle State Leadership Service Award, presented annually to a State President. This $1,000 award will celebrate and recognize the tireless work and dedication MTNA’s State Affiliate Presidents devote to the organization.

Guidelines to Apply for the Gateway Prize and the Career Grants

Applicants for the Gateway Prize must be:

• • • 36 years of age or younger as of November 1, 2025 prior to date of selection

    • a current U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident

    • a current, active classical pianist/performer

    • a faculty member of a degree granting musical institution of higher learning

      Applicants are not required to be active MTNA members. Previous recipients of the prize are not eligible to apply.

Applicants for the Career Grants must be

• • • 28 years of age or younger as of November 1, 2025 prior to date of selection

    • a current U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident

    • a current, active classical pianist/performer with teaching experience

       Applicants are not required to be active MTNA members. Previous recipients of the grants are not eligible to apply.

The Gateway Prize and Career Grants will be announced at the 2025 MTNA National Conference in Minneapolis.

The first presentation of recipients of the prize and grants will be at the 2026 MTNA National Conference in Chicago.

Questions should be directed to the MTNA National Headquarters at mtnanet@mtna.org or by calling (513) 421-1420.