Young Texas Artists (YTA) is launching its 2025-26 performing arts season, including a kickoff party with special musical guests, the 41st annual Young Texas Artists Music Competition and YTA\u2019s signature Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala, along with a lecture series for YTA enthusiasts.<\/p>\n
\u201cYTA exists to serve both audiences and artists, and each new season strengthens that mission,\u201d said YTA President\/CEO Susie Moore Pokorski. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to champion rising classical musicians while also offering our state unforgettable cultural experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Something for Everyone<\/strong><\/p>\n YTA is opening its 2025-26 season with the first presentation in its \u201cSomething for Everyone\u201d lecture series for YTA Circle, a group for YTA fans. The series is designed to explore music in all its forms.<\/p>\n The first presentation, \u201cAn Insider\u2019s Guide to Classical Music,\u201d will be presented by Aurel Retamozo, YTA Program & Operations Director. The program takes place Thursday, Sept. 18, at Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, 1506 Interstate 45 N.<\/p>\n With the exception of the first lecture, YTA Circle events generally are held at Madeley Fine Art Gallery (Conroe Art League), 127 Simonton St. in Downtown Conroe. They take place 5:30\u20137 p.m.<\/p>\n The lecture series continues Thursday, Nov. 6, with \u201cWhat\u2019s so Grand About Opera?\u201d with a guest from Houston Grand Opera.<\/p>\n The final lecture of the series, \u201cHow to Listen to a Symphony,\u201d takes place Thursday, April 23. The program will feature a special guest to be announced. On Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, YTA Circle will present its Volunteer Appreciation and Sign-Up Dinner featuring a competition preview from Dr. Emelyne Bingham, Artistic Director of YTA.<\/p>\n YTA Circle welcomes guests, and the first event is free. The group\u2019s annual membership cost is $75 per couple or individual (members are welcome to bring guests to events).<\/p>\n For membership information, visit https:\/\/youngtexasartists.org\/yta-circle.<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Classic Cabaret<\/strong><\/p>\n YTA is celebrating the launch of the 2025-26 season with its Classic Cabaret party, taking place 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at The Woodlands Country Club\u2013Palmer Course, 100 Grand Fairway.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Classic Cabaret will showcase multiple Grammy Award-nominated pianist Petronel Malan, a 1998 Young Texas Artists Music Competition winner. Born in South Africa, Malan made her piano debut at age 10 with the Johannesburg Symphony. Today, she maintains a full performance schedule as a recitalist, orchestral soloist and chamber musician in venues around the world. Also performing at the cabaret is award-winning cellist William Suh, an Artist Diploma candidate at The Juilliard School. Suh, YTA\u2019s 2025 Silver Medalist in the Strings Division, has performed as an orchestral soloist and chamber musician in the U.S., Asia and Europe. He is a recipient of the Aldo Parisot Prize and Broadus Erle Prize from the Yale School of Music and has been awarded first prizes in prestigious music competitions across the U.S.<\/p>\n Suh performs on a 1913 cello by Carl Becker Sr. on generous loan from the Colburn Collection.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want our audiences to feel the excitement of discovering tomorrow\u2019s stars and the pride of seeing YTA alumni shine on stage,\u201d Pokorski said. \u201cPetronel Malan and William Suh embody that promise beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n To make reservations for Classic Cabaret, visit https:\/\/youngtexasartists.org\/classic-cabaret<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n YTA Music Competition<\/strong><\/p>\n YTA is now accepting applications for its classical music competition, offering $40,000 in cash prizes, plus mentoring and performance opportunities. Application materials are due by 11:59 p.m. CST on Dec. 31, 2025. Details and application: youngtexasartists.org\/music-competition<\/p>\n \ufeffEligible artists are ages 18\u201330 (20\u201332 for Voice) and are either Texas residents or enrolled at a Texas music school. Competitors perform in one of four divisions: Piano; Strings; Voice; or Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp & Guitar.<\/p>\n The 2025\u201326 competition will be held March 12\u201314, 2026, culminating in the YTA Finalists\u2019 Concert & Awards at the Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main St. in the Downtown Conroe Cultural District.<\/p>\n This season, YTA is offering the opportunity to purchase display ads in the concert program book. Learn more: youngtexasartists.org\/advertising<\/p>\n Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue<\/strong><\/p>\n During the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala, YTA\u2019s biggest fundraiser of the year, attendees can enjoy a Texas barbecue dinner with all the trimmings and dance to Texas music by Bill Mock & His Highway 105 Band. The jeans-to-jewels celebration also features a live auction and plenty of Lone Star bling.<\/p>\n This season\u2019s gala takes place 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026, at YTA\u2019s Grand Pavilion, which will be set up on Main Street in front of Crighton Theatre. From there, guests can walk into the theater to see the Finalists\u2019 Concert & Awards program.<\/p>\n After the competition, guests are invited to YTA\u2019s after-party featuring a champagne, wine and longnecks bar along with toasts to the competition finalists, dancing, desserts and coffee.<\/p>\n For more information about YTA and its 2025-26 season, visit https:\/\/youngtexasartists.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Source: Young Texas Artists<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n
YTA Circle members also are invited to two special programs, beginning with a Christmas Sweater Contest and Music Trivia evening hosted by Jessica Hendricks and Retamozo on Thursday, Dec. 11.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/hellowoodlands.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/YTA-Petronel.png\")
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Malan is known for performing in elegant evening gowns from her vintage designer collection, as she will for Classic Cabaret.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/hellowoodlands.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/YTAWilliam-1024x819.png\")
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