Young Texas Artists Music Competition Winners Announced

The 27th Annual Young Texas Artists Music Competition concluded on Saturday evening, March 12 with performances by eight talented finalists in four musical categories at the Entergy Finalists' Concert & Awards. The event was presented by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society at Conroe's historic Crighton Theatre. Cash prices totaling $20,000 were handed out to winners selected by a distinguished panel of judges, with honors also going to an audience favorite.

Ying Fu placed first in the Strings Division and also took home the Entergy Grand Prize. Hypnotizing the audience with a flawless performance of Henryk Wieniawski's Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 15, he also walked away with the Audience Choice Award, which gains him a performance with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Shanghai, China, he is currently a doctoral candidate at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. Renee Powers, with Entergy Texas, made the grand-prize presentation.

Fu also received a Texas flag that flew over the capitol in Austin on March 2, Texas Independence Day.

First-place winners in other categories were Viktor Valkov from Rice University's Shepherd School of Music in the Piano Division; flutist Masha Popova, also from Rice, in the Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp, and Guitar Division; and mezzo-soprano Abigail Levis from University of Houston's Moores School of Music in the Voice Division.

Runner-up positions went to soprano Vanessa Becerra from Texas Christian University in the Voice Division; Kyle Orth from Texas Christian University in the Piano Division; marimbist Christopher Lucas from Sam Houston State University in the Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp, and Guitar Division; and violinist Meredith Riley from University of Texas Austin in the Strings Division.

Chris Johnson, host of KUHF-FM 88.7 Houston Public Radio's "The Afternoon Concert" and technical director of KUHF's arts program, "The Front Row," served as Master of Ceremonies and kept the evening running smoothly.

Sixty-six talented musicians traveled to Conroe to vie for cash prizes and performance opportunities in the three-day competition, which is open to musical artists, ages 18-30 (20-32 for Voice), who are Texas residents or students enrolled in a Texas college, university or music school.

Emelyne Bingham, Young Texas Artists artistic director, brought together an impressive panel of judges for the competition. Jurors were Becky Brown, artistic administrator with Da Camera Society of Texas; pianist Daniel Cataneo with the Dalcroze Institute at Juilliard; Roger Pines, dramaturg with Lyric Opera of Chicago; Maria Schleuning, violinist with Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Voices of Change; and Nelita True, on the faculty of Eastman School of Music and highly distinguished pianist and pedagogue.

"The standard of artistry was raised yet again in this year's competition," said Bingham. "We were thrilled to have the distinguished Nelita True join our judging panel this year. To draw this level of quality speaks volumes for the level of artistry at the Young Texas Artists Music Competition."

"We appreciate the continued support of our major benefactor, Entergy Texas," said Susie Pokorski, chair of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition. Pokorski said that the event is also generously supported by KUHF 88.7 FM Houston Public Radio, James A. Pokorski, CLU, Streater-Smith Honda-Nissan, and a host of dedicated volunteers who lend their time and talents to the event all year long.

"We want to remind everyone that our Young Texas Artists Music Competition benefit gala, Classic Cabaret, is coming up on Saturday, April 16," added Pokorski. The event will feature dinner, a silent auction and entertainment by three Young Texas Artists alumni that is certain to leave attendees in awe of the talent that comes through the competition. For information, contact Lana Hazlett, gala chair: 281-381-1063 or email bhazl57@aol.com.

For more information about Young Texas Artists Music Competition, contact Susie Pokorski, Chair, at 936-756-7017 or visit www.YoungTexasArtists.org.

ABOUT THE YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS MUSIC COMPETITION
The Young Texas Artists Music Competition, proclaimed an official music competition by the Texas legislature, was created in 1983 by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization, to promote excellence in musical performance, to encourage young musicians in their pursuit of high artistic standards, and to foster a love for the performing arts in the community and throughout the state of Texas. The Montgomery County Performing Arts Society is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Conroe Commission on Arts and Culture. For more information, visit www.YoungTexasArtists.org.

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