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Where Are They Now?
Viktor Valkov, Young Texas Artists’ 2011 Gold Medalist in Piano, provides an update on his career and advice for emerging musicians.
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Young Texas Artists Announces 2024 Music Competition Winners
Arts nonprofit Young Texas Artists (YTA) presented another brilliantly orchestrated evening of down-home Texana and high-toned concert classics at its benefit gala, Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue, March 9.
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Young Texas Artists to Showcase Exceptional Musicians at Finalists’ Concert & Awards
Audience members will have an opportunity to experience remarkable performances by emerging classical musicians during the Young Texas Artists (YTA) Music Competition Finalists’ Concert & Awards Saturday, March 9, in Conroe, Texas.
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The Key Note: A Heart for the Classics
If classic country musician Bill Mock could offer one piece of advice to emerging musicians, other than practicing, it would be to listen to seasoned artists in the same discipline and learn from them. That’s how he got started as a performer more than 15 years ago. “You’d surround yourself with better players than yourself,”…
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Young Texas Artists to Present Unforgettable Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue Gala March 9
Guests can expect a foot-stomping fine night MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – February 28, 2024 –Young Texas Artists (YTA) is known for its internationally respected classical music competition for emerging musicians, but that doesn’t mean the arts nonprofit shies away from embracing its Lone Star heritage. Every March, YTA throws a big, dazzling party that celebrates…
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Where Are They Now?
Catherine Goode Soprano Catherine Goode was YTA’s 2018 Audience Choice Award winner and Silver Medalist in the Voice division. Goode recently shared an update on her career with us. It’s been five years since you won our Audience Choice Award and Silver Medal in Voice. How would you say your experience with YTA has impacted…
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Young Texas Artists Announces Speaker Series for Supporters
‘Classical Music and Art Through the Centuries’ Kicks Off Nov. 16 in Conroe Nonprofit arts organization Young Texas Artists (YTA) is launching a speaker series about the connections between classical music and visual art for members of YTA Circle, a group for YTA supporters. The four-part monthly series, “Classical Music and Art Through the Centuries,”…
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YTA Gold Medalist Performs in Washington With Texas Fans in Audience
Marimba player Mateo Seghezzo, the 2023 Young Texas Artists Music Competition Gold Medalist in the Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp, and Guitar division, also won the U.S. Army Band National Collegiate Solo Competition.
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Where Are They Now? Anastasia Markina
Pianist Anastasia Markina talks about how her career has progressed since she was the Grand Prize winner in the 2007 Young Texas Artists Music Competition.
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Young Texas Artists Seminar Helps Emerging Artists Take Careers to New Heights
Dynamic Branding & Creative Career Development for Artists takes place online Saturday, June 3 Emerging artists will have an opportunity to develop valuable career advancement strategies and financial management skills when nonprofit arts organization Young Texas Artists (YTA) presents its 2023 Career Development Seminar. Dynamic Branding & Creative Career Development for Artists takes place online…
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Young Texas Artists Announces 2023 Competition Winners
Young Texas Artists (YTA) promised an unforgettable night of music and celebration in 2023, and that’s exactly what it delivered. The nonprofit arts organization wowed audiences March 11 with its Finalists’ Concert & Awards presentation, featuring gifted classical musicians, and YTA’s big Texas party: the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala. “Our concert and gala were…
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Young Texas Artists Presents Talented Classical Musicians at Finalists’ Concert & Awards
Extraordinarily gifted artists on the cusp of launching classical music careers will take the stage Saturday, March 11, when the Young Texas Artists Music Competition culminates in the 2023 Finalists Concert & Awards. The program, set to begin at 7:30 p.m., will take place at Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main Street, in the historic downtown…
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Young Texas Artists Will Present Spectacular Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue Gala March 11
Event to be infused with Lone Star flavor Nonprofit arts organization Young Texas Artists (YTA) will deliver plenty of excitement, glamour and Lone Star charm when it presents the 2023 Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala Saturday, March 11, in Conroe’s historic downtown cultural district. The “jeans to jewels” celebration supports the annual Young Texas Artists…
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The Key Note: A Welcome Addition
“We are delighted to welcome Aurel to our team,” YTA President/CEO Susie Moore Pokorski said. “Her background in music education and music competitions is a tremendous asset, and she is already making a positive difference. “
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Young Texas Artists Welcomes Aurel Garza-Tucker as Director of Program and Operations
Young Texas Artists (YTA), a nonprofit arts organization best known for the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, has named Aurel Garza-Tucker its Director of Program and Operations. Before beginning her position with YTA on Nov. 1, 2022, Garza-Tucker served as the Assistant Director of Education and Production at the Austin Chamber Music Center (ACMC). She…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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;…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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