Blog

Where Are They Now? Petronel Malan

by
Smiling woman

Petronel Malan

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

The Key Note: TMCO’s Visionary Conductor

by
Woman in black holding conductor's baton.

Libi Lebel

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

Where Are They Now? Graeme Steele Johnson

by
Smiling young man holding clarinet.

Graeme Steele Johnson. Photo by Dylan Hancook.

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.

Ray Benson: Distinctively Texas

by
Man with white beard, wearing cowboy hat

Ten-time Grammy Award winner Ray Benson, founder of Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel, will be a special guest at Young Texas Artists’ 40th anniversary celebration and master of ceremonies during the YTA Music Competition & Finalists’ Concert March 8. Photo by Mike Shore.

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

Apply Now for 2025 YTA Music Competition

by
Woman wearing prize medal holding yellow roses and Texas flag poses with two men and a woman at classical music competition.

From left, Brandon Kiser, deputy district director for the Texas Senate, presents 2024 YTA Grand Prize Winner and Gold Medalist in Piano Daeun Han with the Texas flag that had flown over the state Capitol building on Texas Independence Day. Also shown are YTA founder Jim Pokorski and YTA President/CEO Susie Moore Pokorski. Photo by David Hopper.

The application period for the 2025 Young Texas Artists Music Competition continues through Dec. 31, 2024.

Make Your Reservations for YTA’s 40th Anniversary Party

by
Couple dressed up for gala.

Shown at YTA’s Classic Cabaret celebration are Lyn and Carl Howard. Photo by David Hopper.

Now is the time to make your reservations for Young Texas Artists’ (YTA’s) 40th anniversary party, “The Stars at Night.”

Popular Pages.

Join Our Newsletter

Contribute

Compete 

Support

Our Mission.

Our mission is to encourage excellence in young Texas musicians, inspire their audiences and enrich the cultural life of our state.

(936) 756-7017

info@youngtexasartists.org

© 2025 Young Texas Artists | Legal
Designed and Powered by The Venture Platform.