Kessa Mefford

Kessa Mefford is an award-winning pianist specializing in the music of Maurice Ravel. Kessa gave her Carnegie Hall debut in December 2022 with a historic program; “Ravel: All of It,” the complete art songs of Ravel with soprano Kristina Cook. Since then, Kessa has performed “Ravel: All of It” in venues all around the United States with Cook. They have given masterclasses and lectures at universities on the interpretation of art song and pianist/singer collaboration, as well as lectures specifically on the history and interpretation of Ravel’s songs.

Kessa has started two concert series: “Whimsical Birdsong,” a series focused on 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. 2023 saw Kessa’s radio debut performing Ravel with Cook on New York’s WQXR in a special episode of Young Artist Showcase featuring pianist/singer duos.

Kessa received an MM in piano performance from the Mannes School of Music in May 2020 studying under Simone Dinnerstein, and a BM in piano performance in August 2017 at Brigham Young University studying under Dr. Richard Anderson and Dr. Irene Peery-Fox.