Matthew Kent Everett believes deeply in collaboration. Since launching The Woodlands Diversion in 2023, he has centered the nonprofit on collaboration among arts organizations and across genres, from classical music to dance, visual art, literature, theatrical arts, and film. Those collaborations move the organization closer to its goals of enriching the fine arts culture in … Read more
The Texas Medical Center Orchestra’s 2024–25 season opened with “Cathedrals of Sound,” a concert featuring Szuyu Su, Young Texas Artists’ 2025 Silver Medalist in Piano and Audience Choice Award winner. (See video below). The concert took place Sept. 27, at South Main Baptist Church in Houston. Su performed Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, … Read more
Soprano Bronwyn White won Young Texas Artists’ Gold Medal in Voice in 2022, which followed a Silver Medal in 2019. She recently spoke with us about her career and her memories of competing with YTA. It’s been more than three years since you last competed with YTA. How would you say your experiences with the … Read more
Antoine Plante serves as artistic director and co-founder of Houston’s Mercury Chamber Orchestra, now in its 25th anniversary season. Over the years, he has overseen the ensemble’s growth from a Baroque-focused group to a versatile chamber orchestra recognized for its inventive programming and community engagement. Earlier this year, Plante agreed to tell us about his … Read more
As far as Shannon Hesse is concerned, the best way to play piano is to perform with others. “It feels like we’re having a conversation,” said Hesse, a regular collaborative pianist for the Young Texas Artists Music Competition. “We can share ideas and play off of each other. That, to me, is far more rewarding … Read more
Longtime Young Texas Artists volunteer Craig Stephan describes his journey as a musician and his commitment to YTA.
Petronel Malan, a multiple Grammy Award nominee and gold medalist of several international piano competitions, is Young Texas Artists’ 1998 Gold Medalist in Piano. She recently spoke with us about her career and her memories of competing with YTA. What are some of your favorite memories of competing with YTA? I remember that I had … Read more
One of the most important lessons Libi Lebel has learned since launching Texas Medical Center Orchestra (TMCO) in 2000 is the value of going after what you want. “Sometimes you have to open your own doors,” said Lebel, TMCO’s artistic director and winner of such honors as the Houston YWCA Outstanding Woman of the Arts … Read more
Clarinetist Graeme Johnson spent a year reconstructing a piece no one had heard since 1897. His world premiere recording of Forgotten Sounds earned praise from The Washington Post and The New York Times. Discover the YTA alum behind this remarkable musical rediscovery.
When Young Texas Artists (YTA) holds its classical music competition finals on March 8, Texas music legend Ray Benson will be there to serve as master of ceremonies. Benson, a ten-time Grammy Award winner and founder of Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel, is helping YTA celebrate its 40th anniversary — he’ll also perform … Read more
