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.

Ray Benson: Distinctively Texas

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

Young Texas Artists 40th Anniversary Bash to Feature Texas Music Legend Ray Benson

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.

Texas arts nonprofit Young Texas Artists (YTA) is about to celebrate a big anniversary with a big party featuring a huge name in Texas music, Ray Benson, as the special guest. YTA is going all out with its 40th anniversary celebration, The Stars at Night, which takes place Saturday, March 8, in the Downtown Conroe … Read more

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.”

The Keynote: YTA Alums Shine in World Premiere

Man in suit performs in opera production

Baritone Michael Mayes performs in "The Righteous."

When reviewers commended the world premiere of “The Righteous” for its stellar vocal performances last summer, their write-ups included praise for two Young Texas Artists (YTA) Gold Medalists in Voice. They are Baritone Michael Mayes (2002), currently a nominee for a DER FAUST (Germany’s most prestigious theater award), and soprano Elena Villalón (2020), who made … Read more