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Sunday, January 26 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Mason, Texas (224 Broad Street), the Mason County M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library will sponsor a concert from the Piatigorsky Foundation. For over 34 years, The Piatigorsky Foundation’s commitment to artistic excellence and public outreach has fascinated many avid concert goers as well as curious first-timers. Last year, The Foundation presented a tour of West Texas consisting of 8 concerts that reached over 630 people in Abilene, Mason, San Angelo and Junction. Likewise, this year The Piatigorsky Foundation aims to reach hundreds of people across West Texas to increase awareness and appreciation of classical music in communities throughout the state. This year the program will feature masterpieces performed by two outstanding Piatigorsky Foundation artists: Kristina Cook, soprano and Kessa Mefford, piano.

Soprano Kristina Cook originally hails from Vernon Hills, Illinois. She received a MM in vocal performance from New England Conservatory and a BM in vocal and viola performance from Texas Christian University. Currently serving as a resident artist with the Taconic Opera and its sister organization, the New York Opera Conservatory, she has performed title roles including Tosca, Suor Angelica, Norma, and Manon Lescaut, as well as Il Tabarro (Giorgetta), La Traviata (Violetta), Don Giovanni (Donna Anna), La Bohème (Mimì), Cavalleria Rusticana (Santuzza), Così fan Tutte (Fiordiligi), Un Ballo in Maschera (Amelia), and Die Fledermaus (Rosalinde). Concert appearances include soloist for Verdi’s Requiem and Duruflé’s Requiem with the Taconic Opera, Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio with the Hudson Chorale and Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 by Heitor Villa-Lobos with the Chappaqua Orchestra. 

Kessa Mefford is an award-winning pianist specializing in the music of Maurice Ravel. She gave her Carnegie Hall debut in December 2022 with a historic program; performing the complete art songs of Ravel with soprano Kristina Cook, and released an album of this repertoire at the same time. They are the first duo in the world to ever perform and record these songs in their entirety. In 2023, Kessa gave her radio debut with Cook performing Ravel on WQXR in a special episode featuring pianist/singer duos. Kessa received an MM in piano performance from the Mannes School of Music in May 2020, graduating with the prestigious Steinway Award. She received multiple generous music merit scholarships while studying under Simone Dinnerstein. Kessa received a BM in piano performance in August 2017 at Brigham Young University, where she received several academic and music scholarships. 

About The Piatigorsky Foundation: Evan Drachman established The Piatigorsky Foundation in 1990 in honor of his grandfather Gregor Piatigorsky. Piatigorsky deeply believed in the healing and inspiration power of classical music. He once said, “Music makes life better. Music is a necessity. It is rich. It is imaginative. It is magnificent. And it is for everyone.” The Piatigorsky Foundation is committed to carrying on Piatigorsky’s mission by evoking cultural curiosity through educational and accessible live performances.