The Key Note: Conversations in Music

Two parents with teen children dressed for special event.

Shannon Hesse (right) with her family. She and her husband, Anthony Kitai, met at the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) summer festival in Graz, Austria. He has been a member of the Houston Symphony cello section for 25 years.

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

Young Texas Artists Kicks Off 41st Season With Classic Cabaret

Woman playing piano.

Multiple Grammy Award-nominated pianist Petronel Malan mesmerizes the audience during Young Texas Artists' Classic Cabaret. Photo by David Hopper.

Young Texas Artists (YTA) kicked off its 2025-26 season in style Oct. 16 with a dazzling Classic Cabaret celebration in The Woodlands featuring exquisite live music and performances by distinguished YTA alumni.

Young Texas Artists’ New Season Features Classic Cabaret, Music Competition and Gala

Smiling woman in red shirt

Petronel Malan

Young Texas Artists’ 2025-26 performing arts season will include a kickoff party, the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, a gala, and a lecture series.

Major Milestone: Young Texas Artists Presents 40th Finalists’ Concert & Awards March 8

Woman plays piano at music competition

Daeun Han performs “Totentanz, S. 126” by Franz Liszt during the 2024 Young Texas Artists (YTA) Music Competition Finalists’ Concert & Awards. Han won YTA’s Grand Prize and Gold Medal in the Piano division. Photo by Dave Clements.

This year marks YTA’s 40th classical music competition — 40 years of championing rising stars in classical music and inspiring audiences. And the public is invited to see it all unfold. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main Street, in the Downtown Conroe Cultural District.