Where Are They Now? Graeme Steele Johnson

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.

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.

Apply Now for 2025 YTA Music Competition

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

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.”

Young Texas Artists Kicks Off 40th Season With Magical Evening

Rick and Jamie Hamm with Gil and Debra Staley at YTA’s Classic Cabaret celebration. Photo by David Hopper.

Texas arts nonprofit announces a $50,000 matching grant and releases new details about its upcoming music competition and gala.

Young Texas Artists Launches New Season Featuring Its 40th Classical Music Competition

Audience listens to lecture in art gallery

The “Classical Music and Art Through the Centuries” lecture series for YTA Circle, a group for YTA supporters, begins Thursday, Sept. 26.

Young Texas Artists (YTA) is celebrating a major milestone in its 2024-25 season: the 40th annual Young Texas Artists Music Competition. The new season also features the “Classical Music and Art Through the Centuries” lecture series, YTA’s Classic Cabaret kick-off party honoring renowned classical pianist James Dick, and the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala.

YTA Announces Stellar 2024-2025 Season

Man in tuxedo leaning on piano

James Dick

Young Texas Artists’ (YTA) 2024-2025 season is now underway. “This is a particularly meaningful season for us because it includes our 40th Young Texas Artists Music Competition, a major milestone for us,” YTA President/CEO Susie Pokorski said. “We’ve been helping emerging classical musicians in Texas launch successful careers since 1983. This season, we’re celebrating that legacy and looking … Read more

Where Are They Now? Matthew Loudermilk

Black and white photo of 30-something man in T-shirt

Matthew Loudermilk

Matthew Loudermilk was Young Texas Artists’ 2008 Gold Medalist in Piano. He recently shared an update on his career with us. How would you say your experience with YTA impacted you and your music career? Well, it was a wonderful experience. It’s always delightful to win first — It’s a big encouragement. There’s a lot … Read more