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` At the age of 3, C. Anthony Pessarra began piano studies with his mother. He quickly learned to improvise and
progressed at a rate that caused his parents to locate the best teacher available. At age 5, he started with
Juilliard School trained organist and pianist, Ethel Clark. She recognized his talent immediately and became his
teacher through high school.
She took special interest in him and provided opportunities for Anthony to meet and hear "front row", many touring
artists of the 1950's & 60's. Inspiration and ambition developed from close proximity to famous artists prompted
long hours of practice. At 9, he was asked to fill the organ positions at two churches in the Lake Jackson -
Freeport area of Texas. His high school activities included choral accompaniment, weddings, public events and
student recitals.
During the University years from 1960-1972 he studied organ and piano with noted musicians at three
Universities, Sam Houston University, University of Houston, University of Texas, B.A. , M.A. , winning the Phi Mu
Alpha Outstanding Musicians Award while still an undergraduate. A series of graduate recitals were performed
including the major works of J. S. Bach as well as contemporary composers. In addition to music he studied for
additional degree work in English literature and philosophy.
After this period, he was hired at Dow Chemical Company and worked in the Engineering Department. A high
score on Industrial Skills Exams puts him in the top 4% in America. Eventually he entered private business and
opened Piano & Restoration in the late 70's. During this time he was a Baldwin and Kawai piano dealer as well
as a piano and pipe organ technician and apprenticing with William Butler Organs of Michigan.
Touring with a Rogers 925, 3 manual organ in the 1980's, he performed the works of J. S. Bach with commentary
and lighting effects for a variety of audiences. He was also Music Department Chairman for Brazosport
Community College. During this time he was organist for First Methodist Church, Lake Jackson and First
Presbyterian in Galveston. Other appointments were at Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin and St. Phillip
Presbyterian, Houston, and First Lutheran ELCA in Shreveport, LA.
He currently plays the organ part-time for services at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Houston. His many
activities included projects for a bell tower carillon and organ project to enlarge the current instrument to over 100
ranks and 4 manuals. He and his wife Kathy, specialized in creating and producing elegant weddings at St.
Matthew where definitive musical offerings were presented with musical forces ranging from organ alone,
professional soloists from area universities and orchestras in addition to boy choirs. Many musically and
socially high profile weddings were performed over a 7 year period with in excess of 35,000 guests passing
through the church doors.
This period in the history of this church from about 1998 to 2004 could be considered its high point in music and
presence in the Houston music scene. The church has an excellent performance venue in the culturally active
Museum District on South Main Street amidst a group of great historic churches noted for their public musical
offerings and excellence in service music. An appearance as dedication recitalist was arranged by Anthony for
the new organ... Carlo Curley, himself! Activity with the A.G.O. as well as many guest organists followed.
About late 2004, to the surprise of many church members and numerous of the musical community of Houston,
this church decided to no longer support non-member weddings or a public concert series, and does not have
wedding production staff at this time. Prospective non-member brides should visit the wedding venues site for
options in Houston.
Mr. Pessarra also instructs organists in the use and operations of Allen and other classical makes of digital
church organs. Mr. Pessarra also personally designs and builds custom organ mirrors for organists throughout
the U.S.A. His interest extends beyond the organ and piano to astronomy, photography, and nutritional medicine.
Anthony also has an ongoing interest in the political philosophies of current and classic writers. Anthony and
Kathy reside in the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. Mr. Pessarra is available for dedications, organ
consultation, instruction, services and weddings. KeyArts Piano of Houston is owned and operated by Anthony
in the Clear Lake area with sales of Yamaha, Kawai, Hardman-Peck and other pianos. Anthony has served as
publicity, web and newsletter editor for The American Guild of Organists, Houston Chapter.
progressed at a rate that caused his parents to locate the best teacher available. At age 5, he started with
Juilliard School trained organist and pianist, Ethel Clark. She recognized his talent immediately and became his
teacher through high school.
She took special interest in him and provided opportunities for Anthony to meet and hear "front row", many touring
artists of the 1950's & 60's. Inspiration and ambition developed from close proximity to famous artists prompted
long hours of practice. At 9, he was asked to fill the organ positions at two churches in the Lake Jackson -
Freeport area of Texas. His high school activities included choral accompaniment, weddings, public events and
student recitals.
During the University years from 1960-1972 he studied organ and piano with noted musicians at three
Universities, Sam Houston University, University of Houston, University of Texas, B.A. , M.A. , winning the Phi Mu
Alpha Outstanding Musicians Award while still an undergraduate. A series of graduate recitals were performed
including the major works of J. S. Bach as well as contemporary composers. In addition to music he studied for
additional degree work in English literature and philosophy.
After this period, he was hired at Dow Chemical Company and worked in the Engineering Department. A high
score on Industrial Skills Exams puts him in the top 4% in America. Eventually he entered private business and
opened Piano & Restoration in the late 70's. During this time he was a Baldwin and Kawai piano dealer as well
as a piano and pipe organ technician and apprenticing with William Butler Organs of Michigan.
Touring with a Rogers 925, 3 manual organ in the 1980's, he performed the works of J. S. Bach with commentary
and lighting effects for a variety of audiences. He was also Music Department Chairman for Brazosport
Community College. During this time he was organist for First Methodist Church, Lake Jackson and First
Presbyterian in Galveston. Other appointments were at Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin and St. Phillip
Presbyterian, Houston, and First Lutheran ELCA in Shreveport, LA.
He currently plays the organ part-time for services at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Houston. His many
activities included projects for a bell tower carillon and organ project to enlarge the current instrument to over 100
ranks and 4 manuals. He and his wife Kathy, specialized in creating and producing elegant weddings at St.
Matthew where definitive musical offerings were presented with musical forces ranging from organ alone,
professional soloists from area universities and orchestras in addition to boy choirs. Many musically and
socially high profile weddings were performed over a 7 year period with in excess of 35,000 guests passing
through the church doors.
This period in the history of this church from about 1998 to 2004 could be considered its high point in music and
presence in the Houston music scene. The church has an excellent performance venue in the culturally active
Museum District on South Main Street amidst a group of great historic churches noted for their public musical
offerings and excellence in service music. An appearance as dedication recitalist was arranged by Anthony for
the new organ... Carlo Curley, himself! Activity with the A.G.O. as well as many guest organists followed.
About late 2004, to the surprise of many church members and numerous of the musical community of Houston,
this church decided to no longer support non-member weddings or a public concert series, and does not have
wedding production staff at this time. Prospective non-member brides should visit the wedding venues site for
options in Houston.
Mr. Pessarra also instructs organists in the use and operations of Allen and other classical makes of digital
church organs. Mr. Pessarra also personally designs and builds custom organ mirrors for organists throughout
the U.S.A. His interest extends beyond the organ and piano to astronomy, photography, and nutritional medicine.
Anthony also has an ongoing interest in the political philosophies of current and classic writers. Anthony and
Kathy reside in the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. Mr. Pessarra is available for dedications, organ
consultation, instruction, services and weddings. KeyArts Piano of Houston is owned and operated by Anthony
in the Clear Lake area with sales of Yamaha, Kawai, Hardman-Peck and other pianos. Anthony has served as
publicity, web and newsletter editor for The American Guild of Organists, Houston Chapter.