A Texas-sized event like no other!
Join us for a Great Texas Party featuring a festive Texas reception & dancing, BBQ dinner with all the trimmings, a live auction, and a champagne toast at the after-party.
All support levels include entry to the Gala Pre-Concert Dinner, Auction, Finalists’ Concert & Awards, After-Party, and complimentary valet parking.


The pleasure of your company is requested
2025 Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue
2025 Benefit Gala

Young Texas Artists 40th Anniversary Party
Music Legend, RAY BENSON of Asleep at the Wheel
SPECIAL GUEST & MASTER OF CEREMONIES
RISING STARS OF TEXAS
2025 FINALISTS OF THE YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS MUSIC COMPETITION
GALA, BBQ, AUCTION & RAFFLE
ANNIVERSARY AFTER-PARTY
DANCING | BEST TEXAS MUSIC | LONE STAR BAR | SPECIAL GUEST, RAY BENSON
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2025 | 5:00 PM
CRIGHTON THEATRE & GRAND PAVILION
DOWNTOWN CULTURAL DISTRICT | 234 MAIN STREET | CONROE, TEXAS
COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING
ATTIRE: JEANS TO JEWELS

SPECIAL GUEST & MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Ray Benson, founder & leader of Asleep at the Wheel
Music legend Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been the chief practitioners, conspirators and caretakers of Western swing for over 50 years. Ray has been the driving force behind “The Wheel” and has overseen the release of more than 30 albums and received numerous awards including 10 GRAMMY™ Awards. Other accomplishments and honors include 2011 Texan of the Year; 2011 Texas Medal of the Arts Award for Multimedia; Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association; and, in 2004, the official Texas State Musician. As a producer, Ray has worked with such artists as Willie Nelson and George Strait. He is on the road for over a hundred dates a year and also hosts a live TV show featuring some of the best talents in Country and Americana Music as well as a weekly radio show “Austin Outer Limits” on Sirius XM.
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Rick and Jamie Hamm
Gil and Debra Staley
These exceptional couples have been stalwart
supporters of Young Texas Artists for many years.
We are privileged to recognize them in the
leadership of YTA’s 40th Anniversary Celebration.

Rick and Jamie Hamm have lived on Lake Conroe since 2002, after numerous postings in cities here and abroad. For 32 years, Rick worked in management positions with Conoco, retiring as President of European Operations in London. Jamie has been active in their communities, serving on symphony boards and other volunteer leadership positions. Rick has served for many years on local boards of the Salvation Army and Family Promise. Both Rick and Jamie enjoy classical music and for many years have been active supporters of the Arts Council of Big Sky, Montana. The Hamms have two sons, Jeff and Chad Hamm, and 17 grandchildren.
Gil and Debra Staley are 27-year residents of The Woodlands. For 15 years, Debra has been Manager of Community Affairs & Volunteers at St. Luke’s Hospital, The Woodlands, partnering with local nonprofts and managing the campus volunteer workforce. Previously, she worked in public affairs with The Woodlands Development Company. For more than 20 years, Gil has served as Chief Executive Officer of The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership (EDP) and has been instrumental in recruiting new businesses while retaining and expanding others in South Montgomery County. He will retire in early 2025. Gil also enjoyed a distinguished 26-year career with Delta Airlines. The Staleys are proud parents of twin young adult sons, Jonathan and Joseph Staley.
An Epic Texas Evening
FESTIVE RECEPTION (Grand Pavilion – in front of Crighton Theatre)
★ 5:00 p.m. Check-in, Visiting, Drinks & Light Bites
★ Live Texas Music – Bill Mock & The Highway 105 Band
GALA DINNER–DANCE (Grand Pavilion)
★ Big Texas Barbecue with all the trimmings
★ Bill Mock & The Highway 105 Band
LIVE AUCTION & RAFFLE (Grand Pavilion)
★ Premier Gifts, Getaways, Fine Art & More
★ Auctioneer, Lady Lyn Howard
★ Master of Ceremonies, Craig Stephan
CONCERT OF CLASSICS (Crighton Theatre)
★ 2025 YTA Finalists’ Concert & Awards
★ Master of Ceremonies, Ray Benson
★ Exciting, Nationally-Acclaimed Competition
★ Best-loved Classical Music and Opera Arias
★ Brilliant, Inspiring Performances
★ Distinguished Judges and Audience Choice Voting
★ $40,000 in Cash Awards
ART SHOW & SALE (Crighton Theatre Lobby)
★ “Young Texas Visual Artists: The Spring Show”
★ Curated by Joseph Staley
ANNIVERSARY AFTER-PARTY (Grand Pavilion)
★ Anniversary Serenade by Special Guest, Ray Benson
★ Cake & Champagne
★ Sumptuous Dessert Buffet & Lone Star Bar
★ Classic Texas Music – Bill Mock & The Highway 105 Band
BENEFICIARIES
Proceeds help sustain the Young Texas Artists Music Competition and YTA Career Development Program for emerging artists. Your support enables vital career training, professional contacts, and for emerging artists. Your support enables vital career training, professional contacts, and performance opportunities not easily accessed by our valiant, hardworking classical musicians.
Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue
2025 LEADERSHIP
president/ceo, young texas artists
Susie Moore Pokorski
YTA artistic director
Dr. Emelyne Bingham
HONORARY GALA CO-CHAIRS
Rick & Jamie Hamm and Gil & Debra Staley
$50,000 challenge leadership team
Carol & Dr. Douglas Aycock
Nancy Dossey
Jeri & Leland Dushkin
Ann & Richard Griffin
Fahima & Christian Hart
Margaret Adams Madeley
Ann K. McAlpin
Charline Hawthorne Muller
Marla Myers
James A. Pokorski
Terri & Ken Sebek
Sue & Joe Warren
Host Committee
Sandy & Chip Abrant
Shana & Tim Arthur
Diane Bass & Belton Byrd
Darryl & Edie Bayer
Nelda Blair
Mel & Sherry Bogus
Annie & Mike Bradbury
Mike & Suzi Carnes
Ann Carr
Brandon Creighton
Scott & Marsha Cutler
Susan Downey
James & Hanna Doyle
Jeri & Leland Dushkin
Nancy & David Eargle
Katrina & Mark Elvig
Brenda Gottlieb
Richard & Ann Griffin
B.D. & Chevis Griffin
Annette & Ken Hallock
Bonnie & Mark Hanley
Lana & Bill Hazlett
David & Suzanne Hwa
Garlaine & Emmett Kelly
Donna & Johnny Kopecky
Neil & Gayle Laminack
Mary Ann & Tommy Metcalf
Megan & Will Metcalf
Marla Myers
Nancy & David Parsons
Marsha Porter
Ann Marie & John Ricci
Mimi & Barb Sadler
Amy & George Sowers
Annette Spikes
Debra & Gil Staley
Marty & Warren Taylor
Jenny & Mitch Wright
Marie & Dave Underdown
2025 GALA DONORS (at printing deadline)
Carol & Dr. Douglas Aycock
Charlotte Belin
Dr. & Mrs. George Boyle
Cathi & David Clements
Alice Coker
Duke Coon
Susan Downey
Alyson & Elliott Gershenson
Brenda Gottlieb
Ann & Richard Griffin
Fahima & Christian Hart
Lana & Bill Hazlett
Avis Maslovitz
Ann McAlpin
Mary Ann & Tommy Metcalf
Charline Muller
Caryn & Jack Patton
Susie & Jim Pokorski
Dr. C. Downey & Edna Price
Annetta & Soren Rose
Ron & Marty Saikowski
Austin O’Toole & Valerie Sherlock
Terri & Ken Sebek
Marie & David Underdown
Joe & Sue Warren
Sylvia & Jim Wiggens
Cris Woods
Angell Wright
Donor Benefits
2025 Donor Benefits | Presenter $20,000 | Benefactor $15,000 | Guarantor $10,000 | Patron $5,000 | Contributor $3,000 | Friend $1,000 | Supporter $500 | Single Ticket $150* |
BBB Tickets & Tables | 20 (2 tables) | 16 (2 tables) | 10 (1 table) | 8 (1 table) | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
YTA Circle Memberships (each admits 2) | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Name Listed in Printed Materials (at appropriate level) | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | |
Sponsor & Judges Dinner (March 6, 2025) | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | ||
40th Anniversary Commemorative Gift | ★ | ★ | ★ | |||||
Advertisement in BBB Program | ★ | ★ | ★ | |||||
Corporate Banner at BBB | ★ | ★ | ★ | |||||
Onstage award presentation at BBB | ★ | ★ | ||||||
Name on Crighton Marquee | ★ | |||||||
Private Performance by YTA Finalist | ★ |
NOTE: Most benefits have some fair market value. Fully tax-deductible contributions receive no benefits other than inclusion in donor lists.
Special Sponsorships receive naming rights to the appropriate category plus corresponding benefits ($200-$20,000).
Contact Susie at 936-756-7017 or susie@youngtexasartists.org for more information.
OUR MOST GRATEFUL APPRECIATION
YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS (YTA) is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit presenter of music competitions and events,
career development programs and cultural enrichment outreach.
We educate, inspire, and build audiences for classical music and the other fine arts.
YTA has been inspiring excellence in Texas since 1983.
YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS has helped to launch careers of nearly 3,000 classical musicians in Texas and enriches the quality of life in our communities. A cultural jewel of Montgomery County, YTA is nationally and internationally recognized and has received official designation by the State of Texas. These achievements are made possible by our truly exceptional donors and volunteers.
Emerging Texas artists have seen dreams come true. YTA alumni include a Grammy winner and two nominees, leading singers at the Metropolitan Opera, a 2017 silver medalist in the famed Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and others performing or teaching at major orchestras, opera companies, conservatories and institutions throughout the world.
Two cornerstones of YTA are the acclaimed Young Texas Artists Music Competition and the Career Development Program. They provide important professional guidance, including valued critiques from esteemed Competition judges, and performance opportunities vital to progress and jobs.
An Official Music Competition of the State of Texas, the YTA contest is unique. It is open to classical artists, ages 18-32, who are Texas residents or affiliated with a Texas music school. It is also the only competition in Texas with four divisions: Voice; Piano; Strings; and Orchestral Instruments. Judges are distinguished professionals from leading orchestras, operas and music conservatories.
Thanks to loyal supporters, YTA was able to weather two pandemic-canceled seasons and stage a major comeback in 2022, THE YTA FINE ARTS WEEKEND. Featured were YTA’s 37th annual music competition, its finalists’ concert & awards (Concert of Classics) and benefit gala (Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue). The YTA weekend also presented three invitationals to showcase young Texas artists in modern dance, literary arts, and a contemporary art show.
OUR MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE EXCELLENCE
IN YOUNG TEXAS MUSICIANS, INSPIRE THEIR AUDIENCES
AND ENRICH THE CULTURAL LIFE OF OUR STATE.
YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded
and headquartered in Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas.