For more information about YTA, visit our About page.
The Key Note: Sold on Service
Anyone who regularly attends Young Texas Artists’ Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala likely associates it with at least three things: Texas swing music, Lone Star attire ranging from “jeans to jewels” — and the charismatic stage presence of auctioneer Lady Lyn Howard. Howard, also a successful entrepreneur and long-time Montgomery County resident, has been a…
Read More
Where Are They Now? Jonathan Jones
Clarinetist Jonathan Jones won YTA’s Audience Choice Award in 2006 and 2007. He also won YTA’s Gold Medal in the Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar division in 2008 and the Silver Medal in that division in 2006. He recently shared an update on his career with us. It’s been 14 years since you won…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Launches 2022-2023 Season with Classics At The Glade Celebration
Performing arts organization Young Texas Artists (YTA) will kick off its 2022-2023 season with Classics At The Glade, a celebration at Glade Cultural Center in The Woodlands set for Friday, Oct. 21. Classics At The Glade, which honors donors who supported YTA’s 2022 Annual Fund, will feature performances by several award-winning YTA artists. They include…
Read More
Where Are They Now? Sergei Kuznetsoff
Pianist Sergei Kuznetsoff is Young Texas Artists’ 2005 Grand Prize Winner and Gold Medalist in Piano. He recently shared an update on his career with us. It’s been about 17 years since you won YTA’s Grand Prize and Gold Medal in Piano. What have you been up to since then? It’s been a long time;…
Read More
Encouraging Excellence
Several years before James A. “Jim” Pokorski helped establish Young Texas Artists, he volunteered to line up professional entertainment for the newly refurbished Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe. But not everyone was excited when he booked a performance of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” “People said you can’t do opera in Conroe; no one will…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Grand Prize Winner to Perform With Texas Medical Center Orchestra May 7
Artem Kuznetsov, Young Texas Artists’ 2019 Grand Prize winner and Gold Medalist in Piano, will present a piano solo during Texas Medical Center Orchestra’s May 7 concert, Celebration of Hope. The concert, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., will take place at Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall, 800 Bagby St., No. 300, in downtown Houston. Kuznetsov…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Delivers the Dazzle for 2022 Comeback
Successful weekend wows guests with extraordinary talent across multiple artistic disciplines MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – March 18, 2022 – Young Texas Artists (YTA) promised an unforgettable come back for 2022, and it delivered in a major way. After two years of COVID-19-related cancellations, the performing arts organization delighted audiences with a Finalists’ Concert & Awards…
Read More
BACKGROUND: 2022 Young Texas Artists Music Competition and Medalists
Nearly 70 talented classical musicians from Texas and around the world competed in the Young Texas Artists Music Competition at the Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe March 10-12. THE COMPETITION This Young Texas Artists (YTA) program is for classical musicians ages 18-30 (and Voice contestants ages 20-32) who are Texas residents or affiliated with a…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Presents Rising Classical Music Stars at Finalists’ Concert & Awards
Program begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at Crighton Theatre Audiences will experience classical music performances by immensely gifted young musicians Saturday, March 12, when the Young Texas Artists Music Competition culminates in the 2022 Finalists’ Concert & Awards. The program, set to begin at 7:30 p.m., will take place at Crighton Theatre, 234…
Read More
Ken Sebek: Financial Strategies for Young Artists
For Ken Sebek, both accounting and classical music have been important aspects of his life. Now the retired CPA and former Texas Medical Center Orchestra (TMCO) executive director is looking forward to bringing those worlds together to help emerging artists. Sebek is developing a financial coaching component for the career development workshop that YTA…
Read More
Young Texas Artists To Serve Up Foot-Stomping Fun at Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue Gala March 12
After two years of cancellations, organizers are ready to dazzle attendees The Young Texas Artists gala, Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue, is returning this March after two years of pandemic-related cancellations and promises to deliver all of the Lone Star sparkle attendees have come to love. The gala, a sensational “jeans to jewels” celebration that helps…
Read More
YTA Video Showcases Texas Arts Scene, Explores Group’s Commitment to Emerging Musicians
YTA Insights: Episode 4 will be available Feb. 20 MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – February 15, 2022 –Young Texas Artists (YTA), the nonprofit fine arts organization best known for the YTA Music Competition, will wrap up its free video series, YTA Insights—A Journey Into the World of Classical Music, with a look at Texas’ rich and…
Read More
Where Are They Now: Andrew Staupe
Pianist Andrew Staupe is a 2010 and 2013 YTA Gold Medalist and a 2009 Silver Medalist. He recently shared an update on his career with us. It’s been nine years since you won Young Texas Artists’ Gold Medal in Piano — for the second time! How would you say your experiences with YTA impacted you…
Read More
Where Are They Now: Natalie Lin Douglas
Violinist Natalie Lin Douglas is Young Texas Artists’ 2009 Gold Medalist in Strings and Audience Choice Award winner. She recently shared an update on her career with us. It’s been more than 12 years since you won Young Texas Artists’ Gold Medal for Strings and the Audience Choice Award. How would you say your experience…
Read More
Where Are They Now: Michael Mayes
Baritone Michael Mayes is YTA’s 2002 Gold Medalist in Voice. He recently shared an update on his career with us. How would you say your experience with YTA has impacted you and your music career? At that point in my career, I was in grad school, which ain’t cheap. I had a lot of scholarships…
Read More
St. John Flynn: Demystifying Classical Music
In the early 1990s, when St. John Flynn first began working as a classical music announcer for WUGA-FM, part of the Georgia Public Broadcasting radio network, the conventional wisdom was that each piece of music should be given a suitable introduction that might include the history of the composer and the music, and an explanation…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Announces Big Comeback, Expanded Offerings
Organization will present Fine Arts Weekend March 10-13, 2022 MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – Oct. 20, 2021 – After two canceled seasons due to COVID-19, performing arts organization Young Texas Artists (YTA) announced a 2022 comeback with dramatically expanded events during YTA’s Classics At The Glade party. The event, held at Glade Cultural Center in The…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Explores Contemporary Classical Music
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – September 10, 2021 – Followers of the fine arts organization Young Texas Artists (YTA), best known for the YTA Music competition, will have an opportunity to experience and better understand the energy and creativity of contemporary classical music when YTA presents the third episode of its free video series, YTA Insights—A…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Sees Bright Future
Fine arts group raises $100,000 for annual fund, releases YTA Insights: Episode 2 MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – May 20, 2021 – May has been an exciting month for Young Texas Artists (YTA): Community members rallied to help the nonprofit meet the YTA Leadership Team’s $50,000 Matching Grant Challenge, allowing the fine arts group to raise more than $100,000 in just 35…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Receives $50,000 Matching Grant to Support First Annual Fund
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – May 5, 2021 – Young Texas Artists (YTA), a one-of-a-kind fine arts organization best known for the YTA Music Competition, has received a generous Matching Grant Challenge to move the organization closer to reaching its $250,000 annual fund goal. All gifts received by May 15 will be doubled — matched dollar…
Read More
A Trying Journey, Rich Rewards
When YTA Artistic Director Emelyne Bingham began pursuing her doctor of musical arts degree several years ago, she couldn’t have imagined that lightning would strike, both figuratively and literally, before she was through. Bingham, who officially became Dr. Bingham in late 2020, unlocked a promising teaching method while researching her doctoral dissertation. She found…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Launches Interactive Video Series
Young Texas Artists (YTA), a one-of-a-kind nonprofit, fine arts organization best known for the YTA Music Competition, is launching a free classical music video series designed to educate and entertain. The first one-hour episode of “YTA Insights — A Journey Into the World of Classical Music” will be presented at 7 p.m. CDT Sunday, March…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Announces Schedule Changes, Expanded Programming for 2021-2022
Young Texas Artists (YTA) will re-focus 2021 activities on providing free cultural programs; securing important performance opportunities, increased cash awards and career development for winners of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition; enhancing awareness of YTA across the state; and planning a major YTA arts weekend for March 2022. Performance Series in 2021 Keynoting the…
Read More
The Art of Collaboration
If collaborative pianist Neal Kurz could offer one piece of advice to classical musicians interested in his specialty, it would be… not to specialize. Being an effective accompanist, he says, calls for being ready to play just about anything. “The thing I would emphasize for anybody who’s interested in this kind of work is…
Read More
A Letter from Susie Pokorski, President/CEO
Dear Friends, I want to give you all an update on Young Texas Artists (YTA), along with my thanks. I am sorry I cannot respond to everyone individually, because so many of you have been such an important part of the last few days. It’s been a wild ride. First, I must give my heartfelt thanks to…
Read More
Setting the Stage for Success
Ask YTA Stage Manager Sadie Langenkamp about her job, and she could go into the technicalities of lighting and stage preparations. But she tends to look at her role more in terms of its impact. “I like to think of myself as a resource for the competitors, someone who makes sure they have everything they…
Read More
Outstanding Classical Musicians Take the Stage in Conroe
Young Texas Artists Finalists’ Concert and Awards set for March 14 Talented classical musicians from around the globe will perform in Conroe’s Crighton Theatre Saturday, March 14 when Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA) presents its Finalists’ Concert and Awards. “Our concerts, always unforgettable, are the culmination of everything we work toward,” YTA President and…
Read More
New Look, New Location and Beethoven Birthday Bash at Young Texas Artists Gala
Evening culminates in concert showcasing talents of rising classical musicians CONROE, Texas – Guests can look forward to a new, convenient location; dazzling décor; and a sensational 250th birthday bash for Ludwig van Beethoven at the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue benefit gala for Young Texas Artists (YTA) on Saturday, March 14. “Our Grand Pavilion this year will be right in front…
Read More
Big Prizes from a Big Name in Texas
Young Texas Artists Music Competition expands prize package The Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA) will hold its internationally recognized competition March 12-14. Musicians compete in four divisions: Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar. Open to classical artists, ages 18-32 (20-32 for Voice division), who are Texas residents or affiliated with…
Read More
Hosting Contestants a Win-Win
You could say YTA volunteer David Hwa is a master puzzle solver. Every winter, Hwa gathers the schedules, needs and preferences of the out-of-town musicians who will need a place to stay when they come to Conroe for the YTA competition in March. Then he looks at the capabilities, homes and preferences of the…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Wows Guests During Spectacular Kick-Off Party
Classics At The Glade provides captivating preview of 2020 gala and concert Guests got to experience the high caliber of talent that Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA) draws each year during YTA’s 2019-20 kick-off party, Classics At The Glade, a fabulous evening of food, art and performances by several of YTA’s brightest stars. The…
Read More
Board Chair Proud of YTA’s impact
For Dr. Richard Griffin, board chairman of Young Texas Artists Music Competition, one of the best things about watching the annual Finalists’ Concert is taking in the performers’ expressions. After years of playing saxophone, Griffin understands their journey. “They go to a place that is just for them,” he said. “They experience a connectivity and…
Read More
Area Classical Music Club Hosts Opera in the Heights Artistic Director and Conductor
For classical music lovers in Montgomery County, driving to Houston venues can be daunting. Fortunately, YTA Circle, a program for supporters of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA), goes the distance instead. The group brings artists and conductors to the area for special members-only programming. That includes Eiki Isomura, artistic director and…
Read More
Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue Gala Pulls Out All of the Stops for Young Texas Artists’ 35th Anniversary
Quintessential celebration of classical music with a Texas twist raises $100K for the nonprofit CONROE, Texas – April ?, 2019 –The Young Texas Artists (YTA) Bach, Beethoven and Barbecue gala on March 9 was jam-packed with one phenomenal moment after another, including a performance by members of the iconic Kilgore College Rangerettes and a visit…
Read More
Young Texas Artists Music Competition Winners Announced
Talented Musicians Dazzle Audience During 35th Annual Event CONROE, Texas – March 13, 2019 – The 35th annual Young Texas Artists Music Competition culminated on Saturday, March 9, with the highly anticipated Finalists’ Concert & Awards at Conroe’s Crighton Theatre. The event featured CEO of Steinway & Sons Ron Losby, who flew in from New…
Read More
YTA Group Welcomes New Chairman
For the last four or five years, Sarah Baxter has had an opportunity to get to know some of the world’s most talented young artists in a way few audience members do: by welcoming them into her home. As a volunteer hostess for Young Texas Artists (YTA), Baxter provides participants in the organization’s music…
Read More
Kilgore Rangerettes Kick Off Young Texas Artists’ 35th Anniversary Gala
Steinway CEO, SPIRIO high-tech piano, special guests and world-class talent highlight unforgettable Texas evening CONROE, Texas – Feb. 21, 2019 – From members of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes to Ron Losby, worldwide CEO of Steinway & Sons, Young Texas Artists (YTA) is elevating the glamour, fun and excitement of its Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue…
Read More
Co-Chairs Announced for Young Texas Artists’ 35th Anniversary Gala
CONROE, Texas – Feb. 6, 2019 – Young Texas Artists (YTA) has announced that their 2019 benefit gala, Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue, which helps support YTA’s acclaimed annual music competition, will be co-chaired by Terry Husbands Giles of Conroe and Allyson Ayton of April Sound on Lake Conroe. The “jeans to jewels” gala, scheduled…
Read MoreInternational Panel of Judges Selected for 2019 Young Texas Artists Music Competition
CONROE, Texas – Dec. 17, 2018 – An elite panel of judges has been selected for the 2019 Young Texas Artists Music Competition, scheduled for March 7-9, 2019, at the Crighton Theatre, 234 North Main St., in Downtown Conroe. The competition features musicians between the ages of 18 and 32 who are Texas residents or those attending…
Read MoreYTA Artistic Director Emelyne Bingham Savors Each Moment
For Emelyne Bingham, the joy of being a musician isn’t about prestige or achievement; it’s the richness of each moment she experiences as a musician, conductor and educator. “It’s not about the product for me; it’s about the process,” said Bingham, artistic director of Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA) and senior lecturer at Vanderbilt…
Read More
Planet Lincoln Signs on as Presenting Sponsor of Charity Classic & Fun Day
Planet Lincoln Signs on as Presenting Sponsor of Charity Classic & Fun Day April Sound brings family-friendly fun to annual golf tournament, Saturday, Sept. 29 CONROE, Texas – Aug. 29, 2018 – On Saturday, Sept. 29, the 2018 April Sound Charity Classic & Fun Day, with presenting sponsor Planet Lincoln, will provide fun-filled family-friendly fundraising…
Read More
2018 April Sound Charity Classic and 35th Anniversary Young Texas Artists To Join Forces For Charity
2018 April Sound Charity Classic and 35th Anniversary Young Texas Artists To Join Forces For Charity Charity Classic & Fun Day, Saturday, Sept. 29 CONROE, TEXAS – July 18, 2018 – Two of Montgomery County’s most dynamic organizations are partnering for an especially exciting April Sound Charity Classic, a day of family fun and…
Read More
Bach, Beethoven and BBQ
Our 2019 Gala has been set for Saturday, March 9. Reserve your seats now for a night of delicious BBQ and world-class performances by young artists in downtown Conroe, Texas
Read More
2013 YTA Silver Medalist Gains Worldwide Prestige
2013 YTA Silver Medalist Gains Worldwide Prestige Kenneth Broberg earns silver in Van Cliburn International Piano Competition CONROE, Texas June 26, 2017 Kenneth Broberg, a 2013 silver medalist in the Young Texas Artists Competition in Conroe, is now the silver medal winner in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. We are just thrilled, Susie Pokorski, chair…
Read More