Lhevinne

Later, Lhévinne would choose her to assist with teaching private students, and to teach alongside her at the prestigious Aspen Festival.

North went on to receive a full scholarship at the Juilliard School of Music and studied under renowned pianist/teacher Rosina Lhévinne, a highly influential mentor whose partisanship could make a student’s career.

“I will never forget my audition for Mme. Lhévinne,” North recalls.

“I had never played an audition before … just concerts. I played for her, and then I ran out of the studio, taking deep breaths. Right behind me was Mme. Lhévinne, shouting, ‘I will take you!

One day, I was asked to deliver some flowers around the corner, on Claremont Avenue, to the pianist Rosina Lhévinne.