Standing Ovations, Texas Pride

Group shot of 2026 Young Texas Artists Music Competition finalists.

The medalists in the 2026 Young Texas Artists Music Competition are, from left, Huiqun Wu, silver medal, piano division; Sean Yang, gold medal, Piano division; tuba player Diego Jaquez, silver medal, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp & Guitar division; violinist Mona Endo, silver medal, Strings division; cellist Cirdan Vonnahme, Grand Prize and gold medal, Strings division; soprano Elizabeth Marlow, silver medal, Voice division; flutist Hunter O’Brien, gold medal, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp & Guitar division; and baritone Heechang Byun, gold medal, Voice division, and Audience Choice Award winner. Photo by Dave Clements.

Young Texas Artists (YTA) brought together the best of Texas, from downhome traditions to world-class classical talent, during its 2026 gala and music competition in March.

Where Are They Now? Brennan Blankenship

Young woman with long brown hair, black outfit, smiling

Brennan Blankenship

Soprano Brennan Blankenship, the 2017 and 2019 Young Texas Artists (YTA) gold medalist in Voice, recently sat down for an interview with YTA to discuss the nonprofit’s impact on her career and what she has been up to recently.

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