Senate Resolution No. 1486

BY: Senator STEC

COMMENDING Tony Kostecki upon the occasion of
being recognized as a Trailblazer in Arts & Culture
honoree by City & State NY magazine

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Tony Kostecki has given not only of his time and energies
but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Tony
Kostecki upon the occasion of being recognized as a 2025 Trailblazer in
Arts & Culture honoree by City & State NY magazine; and

WHEREAS, City & State's Trailblazers in Arts & Culture, written and
researched in partnership with journalist Lon Cohen, is a prestigious
award that honors visionary leaders who drive critical work and improve
the lives of New Yorkers through the State's vibrant arts and culture
sector; and

WHEREAS, Tony Kostecki and his fellow honorees will be celebrated at
an awards ceremony in Manhattan, New York where they will honor his
decades-long dedication to the arts and education; and

WHEREAS, Tony Kostecki has been a central figure in New York's North
Country arts community for decades, most notably through his leadership
of Seagle Festival, rebranded from Seagle Music Colony in 2021 to better
reflect its modern mission, the oldest opera training program in the
United States, founded in 1915; and

WHEREAS, Tony Kostecki holds a Bachelors of Arts in Music from
Benedictine College and a Masters of Music in Piano Accompanying and
Organ Performance from the University of Kansas; and

WHEREAS, With a robust performance resume, Tony Kostecki's
experience includes work as a pianist/coach for companies like the
Florida Grand Opera, Shreveport Opera, and Utah Opera; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his full-time commitment to the Seagle Festival,
Tony Kostecki served as Director of Education for the Fort Worth Opera
Studio from 2002 to 2007, where he was instrumental in creating the
renowned Young Artists Program; and

WHEREAS, Since being appointed General Director in January 2008,
Tony Kostecki's tenure has been marked by a period of dramatic expansion
for the institution; the Festival has grown from a summer-only
performance and training festival to a stalwart year-round presence in
the local and regional arts scene; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Tony Kostecki has displayed
throughout his career; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Tony Kostecki upon the occasion of being recognized as a 2025
Trailblazer in Arts & Culture honoree by City & State NY magazine; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Tony Kostecki.