NEWS RELEASE 

October 31, 2023 

Media Contact: 

Rachel Evey, foundation executive director, 509-682-6415 

 

WVC Foundation hosts Piatigorsky Foundation concert November 8 

 

The Wenatchee Valley College Foundation will host a Piatigorsky Foundation concert on Wednesday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m. at The Grove Recital Hall in the Music and Art Center (MAC). The concert features soprano Kristina Cook and pianist Kessa Mefford.  

The concert is free and open to the public. There will be a wine reception prior to the concert at 5:30 pm.  

This event is made possible by the Woods Family Music and Arts Fund. 

Pianist Kessa Mefford gave her Carnegie Hall debut in December 2022 with Kristina Cook. They performed the complete art songs of Maurice Ravel and released an album of this repertoire at the same time. Mefford and Cook are the first duo in the world to ever perform and record these songs in their entirety.  

Pianist Kessa Mefford is an award-winning pianist specializing in the music of Maurice Ravel. Mefford’s recent awards include 1st place in the Best Brahms Performance edition of the Great Composers Competition series, 2nd place in the Best Liszt Performance and 3rd place in the Artist of the Year editions of the same series. She received a Master of Music in piano performance from the Mannes School of Music in May 2020, graduating with the prestigious Steinway Award for exceptional pianists with excellent artistry and service to the school and fellow students. 

Soprano Kristina Cook is a versatile vocalist with a repertoire of 24 soprano opera roles. Originally from Vernon Hills, Illinois, Cook was discovered while attending the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. She then pursued her music education at the New England Conservatory and Texas Christian University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal and viola performance. Cook’s soprano debut was with the Taconic Opera in 2016 as Mercédès in "Carmen." 

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The Piatigorsky Foundation was established by Evan Drachman 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.  

The Wenatchee Valley College Foundation was incorporated in 1971. The foundation’s mission is to provide equitable access to education and invest in student success through philanthropy. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at http://www.wvc.edu/foundation. 

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. 

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses: 

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu. 
• To request disability accommodations: Student Access Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.