Kevin Guess
About Me
I have been a professional musician and teacher for over 30 years. I earned B.M. & M.M. degrees from the University of Houston, where I had the distinct privilege of studying piano & composition with the Pulitzer prize winning opera composer and former concert pianist, Carlisle Floyd. His musical understanding overflowed, and his knowledge of piano technique was a blessing.
As a teacher, I have been teaching piano privately since 1993 and am a member of Cypress Creek Music Teachers Association (CCMTA), Texas Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association. With CCMTA I have been active in many ways, including managing our website and Facebook pages, serving as President (2022-2024) and directing our High School Convention Ensemble. Additionally, I regularly judge for the events of other organizations such as Northwest Houston Music Teachers Association, National Federation of Music Clubs Gold Cup and Katy Music Teachers Association. Currently I teach piano both in my home studio and at Cy-Fair Music and Arts.
Seven years ago I began developing an innovative piano method especially designed for young students. I have been using and refining it over the past 6 years with much success. You can learn more about my method here.
As a collaborative pianist, I have been working since graduate school with vocalists & instrumentalists in concerts, recitals, and opera & theater productions. I have collaborated with Houston Ballet Academy, Opera to Go!, Orchestra X, Opera Rediviva (now Opera in the Heights), San Jacinto College, HITS Theatre School, Lone Star College and with various individual musicians and groups. As music director for HITS I also taught music to students, arranged abbreviated musicals for keyboards and drums, played for class shows & fundraisers, and prepared the chorus and orchestra for full scale musical productions at Miller Outdoor Theater.
At Lone Star College North Harris, I played for the Jazz Choir, for students & faculty in recital and for many musical productions. I also taught music theory & ear training, developing an approach that enabled students to better connect theory with their own musical experiences and to better use it in their own musical endeavors. In addition, I served as music director for the theater department’s 2013 production of Godspell. Currently, I am staff accompanist for Lone Star College University Park and Cy-Fair High School.
In 2007 I began to pursue what had become a growing interest in Jazz. Over the next few years I had the privilege of studying with noted Houston jazz pianists Joe LoCascio, Paul English and Bob Henschen. I have played with many people around the Houston area including the Houstonian Big Band, The Dirty Jazz Players, Ermelinda Cuellar, Richard Cholakian, Thomas Helton, Woody Witt and the late Sebastian “Bash” Whittaker.
Currently, I teach privately and perform in various capacities. For more performances go to the Music.