Young Texas Artists’ Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue Gala Celebrates Spirit of Texas

Two woman at gala table, one in cowboy hat and Texas flag shirt

Young Texas Artists’ Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala is a “jeans-to-jewels” celebration. Shown at the 2025 gala are Dr. Emelyne Bingham, YTA’s artistic director, and Sue Moorhead. Photo by David Hopper.

Young Texas Artists’ 2026 Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala will be a grand, boot-stomping salute to Texas.

The Key Note: Composing Community

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Matthew Kent Everett

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

YTA Medalist Performs with Texas Medical Center Orchestra

Young woman plays piano at classical music competition

Pianist Szuyu Su, shown at YTA's 2025 Finalists' Concert & Awards Program, was a soloist at a Texas Medical Center Orchestra concert. Photo by Dave Clements.

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

Where Are They Now? Bronwyn White

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Bronwyn White

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

Expert Advice: Antoine Plante

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Antoine Plante

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

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

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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.

The Key Note: TMCO’s Visionary Conductor

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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

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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.