LEGACY IN EVERY NOTE: SHAPING TOMORROW’S PIANISTS AT THE TEXAS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Inside UH’s College and Pre-College Piano Institutes—where mentorship, collaboration, and community define a new generation of artistry
Each summer, the halls of the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston resonate with the sounds of rising pianists from around the country. As part of the Texas Music Festival (TMF), the College Piano Institute and Pre-College Piano Institute offer immersive training, collaboration, and rare performance opportunities—all under the guidance of a deeply committed faculty.
At the center of these piano programs are Timothy Hester, a Houston native and longtime professor, and Todd Van Kekerix, an accomplished pedagogue with a passion for shaping young musicians. For both, TMF is not just a summer commitment—it's a continuation of legacy.
“I’ve been on the faculty here for 35 years,” says Hester, who serves as the Edythe Bates Old Professor of Piano, Chair of the Keyboard Studies Division, and Director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts. “I was here in TMF’s second year, and it’s been incredible to watch it grow.”
Timothy Hester, Edythe Bates Old Professor of Piano, Chair of the Keyboard Studies Division, and Director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts.
Timothy Hester, Edythe Bates Old Professor of Piano, Chair of the Keyboard Studies Division, and Director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts.
Todd Van Kekerix, Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy and Class Piano Coordinator
Todd Van Kekerix, Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy and Class Piano Coordinator
Van Kekerix, who leads the Pre-College Piano Institute, came to Houston in 2018 after a decade teaching at the New School for Music Study in New Jersey. “The opening at UH was the right opportunity in the right city,” he says. “The festival has become a place where students come to grow—not just as musicians, but as people.”
The College Piano Institute brings advanced university-level pianists together for a week of study with distinguished faculty and guest artists. Students receive lessons from multiple instructors, participate in chamber music and piano ensemble work, and attend festival concerts across genres—from orchestral to jazz.
A standout feature of this year’s Institute is a trio of guest masterclasses with internationally acclaimed pianists Barry Douglas, Clayton Stephenson, and Gabriela Martinez. These sessions offer students an exceptional chance to engage with globally recognized artists in an intimate learning setting.
This emphasis on high-level piano instruction stems from the legacy of the International Piano Festival, which the Moores School of Music hosted every February for nearly 30 years. Curated by the late, legendary UH professor and pianist Abbey Simon, the festival brought many of the world’s leading artists..., the festival brought many of the world’s leading artists, making it a cornerstone of the school’s artistic identity. “We had all the major artists from all over the world here,” says Hester. “It was one of the great traditions of our school, and Abbey Simon was the visionary who made it happen.”
That spirit lives on through TMF’s guest artist programming. This year, Barry Douglas—Gold Medalist of the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Competition and Third Prize winner at the 1985 Van Cliburn Competition—will appear in concert on Thursday, June 5, marking the opening night of the 2025 Texas Music Festival. “Every College Piano Institute participant will have the opportunity to play in masterclasses with Douglas, Gabriela Martinez, and Clayton Stephenson,” says Hester. “It’s part of how we’re continuing the legacy of the International Piano Festival—bringing world-class artistry to campus, and giving our students a chance to learn from the best.”
Meanwhile, the Pre-College Piano Institute offers a unique twist on traditional piano instruction. “We do something different here,” Van Kekerix explains. “Students are paired for partner lessons each day, observing and actively engaging in one another’s sessions. It’s rare for pianists to engage like this—we’re often isolated in practice rooms. This gives them real-time musical dialogue about artistry, practice strategies, and most of all, and human connection.”
The week culminates in two contrasting performances: a formal solo recital and a pop showcase featuring a live rhythm section. “Each student picks a pop song on Monday,” he says. “We arrange it, build a chord chart, and perform it on Saturday with drums and bass. It’s a quick learn for them -- an entirely different kind of collaboration. And it’s fun!”
The week culminates in two contrasting performances: a formal solo recital and a pop showcase featuring a live rhythm section. “Each student picks a pop song on Monday,” he says. “We arrange it, build a chord chart, and perform it Saturday with drums and bass. It’s an entirely different kind of collaboration—and it’s fun.”
Among the highlights of the College Piano Institute is the opportunity to audition for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell–Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition—a prestigious platform for soloists across the festival.
Founded in 1990 by George and Cynthia Mitchell, the original Mitchell competition was created to spotlight young orchestral talent. In 2023, it merged with the Houston Symphony’s Ima Hogg Competition, resulting in one of Texas’ most competitive young artist platforms. Open to TMF Orchestra members and College Piano Institute participants, the competition selects up to eight finalists for a public performance round, awarding first, second, and third place honors, plus an Audience Choice award.
The grand prize? A solo performance with the Texas Music Festival Orchestra, and an invitation to perform with the Houston Symphony the following season.
2023 finalists with former TMF Director Alan Austin
2023 finalists with former TMF Director Alan Austin
“The competition gives our pianists a glimpse into the professional world,” Hester says. “It’s not just about studying—it’s about stepping onto the stage at the highest level.”
This high standard of artistry and opportunity would not be possible without the enduring support of Sharon and Robert Lietzow, two of the festival’s most cherished champions. Sharon, a classically trained pianist and arts advocate, and Robert, a visionary supporter, have played a pivotal role in the festival’s growth.
Over the years, the Lietzows helped shape everything from student scholarships to major performances. Sharon earned her master’s at UH under famed pianist Abbey Simon and became an integral figure in the Houston arts scene, co-founding the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, leading the Friends of Moores, and mentoring countless young musicians—many of whom performed in their home.
In 2024, the festival featured pianist Kenny Broberg—a TMF alum and internationally acclaimed competition winner—in a concert presented as part of the Sharon Ley Lietzow Piano Series, honoring Sharon’s lifelong commitment to nurturing musical excellence.
What do Hester and Van Kekerix look forward to most each year? “The students,” Van Kekerix says. “They arrive shy, and by the end of the week, they’ve made friendships and found their voice. That transformation is the best part.”
For Hester, it’s about tradition and continuity. “We pass on what our teachers gave us. There’s joy in watching that lineage live on.”
From its foundation to its future, the piano institutes at the Texas Music Festival represent more than technical skill—they reflect the power of mentorship, community, and the lasting impact of those who believe in the transformative power of music. And in 2025, through exceptional opportunities like the guest masterclasses and the Lietzow Piano Series, that impact only grows deeper.
Explore the full TMF concert calendar and join us in celebrating the next generation of musical excellence!
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