A message from Kate:

“My journey with music began at the age of four with the privilege of classical training, which introduced me to a world of expression, emotion, and beauty. Through my studies and experiences, music became my language for joy, heartbreak, and everything in between. I could not be more thankful for the mentors and opportunities that shaped me, and now feel a responsibility and honor to share the gift of music as widely as possible.

During my studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, I became fascinated by salons, musical gatherings of the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries. I was drawn to the intimacy of them: their small-scale ensembles, the closeness between performer and audience, and the relaxed energy that made music feel like a shared experience, rather than a distant presentation. I was equally inspired by the ambitious women who hosted these salons, introducing new works and reviving forgotten ones in ways that have shaped how we understand classical music today.

I created The Mayfield Sessions as my own modern interpretation of this tradition. My goal is to ‘bring classical music back’ into modern society by offering recitals that are entertaining, emotional, relatable, and free from the elitist expectations that often surround the genre. I work to remove barriers between classical music and everyday listeners because this music has shaped my life in profound ways, and I want others to have the chance to experience its emotional power.”