Kessa Mefford Biography
Kessa Mefford is an award-winning pianist from the river town of Peekskill, New York. Described as "powerful, disciplined, and profoundly emotional," (Croton Gazette) Kessa was raised in a family of musicians. Kessa gave her Carnegie Hall debut in December 2022 with a historic program; “Ravel: All of It,” his complete art songs from memory with soprano Kristina Cook. Since then, Kessa has performed “Ravel: All of It” in venues all around the United States with Cook. In 2023, they gave their radio debut performing Ravel on New York’s WQXR.
Kessa has founded two concert series: “Whimsical Birdsong,” based out of New York in which she performs and collaborates with others in presenting the complete works of Ravel that include piano, and "Piano at Noon," based in her hometown of Peekskill as an effort to bring more classical music to the community. Coming from a family of musicians, Kessa has also collaborated with her family on a variety of projects. Her father, Dan Montez, is a composer, and she has premiered several of his pieces written especially for her. Notable premieres include a piano concerto and four art song cycles, two of which were performed with her two siblings, opera singers Ky and Cade Montez.
Kessa has released three albums, two of which are part of an eight-album series featuring the complete works of Ravel alongside other composers. The remaining six albums are slated to be released over the next five years.
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