Pianist Kessa Mefford has a deep personal and musical relationship with composer Maurice Ravel. “With his ear for harmony, his hunger for color, and his painstaking craft, his music speaks in a way that is deeply relatable to me.”

She’s performed Ravel throughout the country, including Carnegie Hall, where she presented the first ever all-Ravel Art Song recital.

Kessa founded and leads two concert series – the Ravel-centered “Whimsical Birdsong” series, based out of New York where she performs and collaborates with other colleagues. "Piano at Noon,” based in her hometown of Peekskill, is increasing the classical music presence in her community.