Young Texas Artists Bring an Unexpected Country Twist To Classic Cabaret, With Dosey Doe the Perfect Setting

A Grammy-nominated pianist, an opera singer and a Rice University cellist helped Young Texas Artists launch its 42nd season at Dosey Doe with an unexpected country twist.

The annual Classic Cabaret night featured three performers who were winners at the annual YTA music competition. Young Texas Artists president and CEO Suzie Pokorski introduced the evening’s emcee Kelli Estes. Estes is the artistic, executive director and co-founder of Lone Star Lyric, the nonprofit opera and lyric theatre based in Houston.

The performances previewed the caliber of classical music talent audiences can expect in March at YTA’s annual Best of Texas concert, part of the Bach, Beethoven and Barbecue event. At the finalist concert, winners in four categories will share $40,000 in cash prizes plus career and performance opportunities.

American soprano Brennan Blankenship kicked off the night with two arias before tipping her hat to the Dosey Doe setting with a Willie Nelson tune. 

A Houston native, Blankenship founded Hopera, a Houston-based opera company that has introduced more than 5,000 Houstonians to the art form. Hopera aims to make opera more accessible, presenting English versions of opera classics in casual, craft brewpubs.

“At Hopera, we try to perform in places where regular Houstonians feel like they can come as themselves, dress however they want, be whoever they are, and come to our performances,” Blankenship tells PaperCity The Woodlands.”We have both free performances that we just try to catch whoever’s at the brewery to hear us play, just like any other musician.

“And then we also do our ticketed operas, which are only $20. So that anyone can come.”

Cellist Cirdan Vonnahme is pursuing a bachelor of music in cello performance. He shared highlights from his emerging cello career. An Alaska native, Vonnahme noted that he took cello lessons via Zoom for more than nine years. He now relishes the opportunities to play with others.

“This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to play at Tanglewood, which is the (summer) home of the Boston Symphony,” Vonnahme says. “I got to share the stage with Yo-Yo Ma and the Boston Symphony cellists. And I got to play with the Boston Symphony in one of their concerts. And that was an experience I’ll never forget.”

Preparing For Life Outside the Concert Hall

Finally, Petronel Malan took to the stage and began her piano program, with some fascinating insight into Hungarian rhapsodies. The South African-born pianist is a Grammy nominee who began studying piano at age 4. Her program included works from Mozart, Liszt and Schütt, and ended with an unexpected encore.

Beyond her performance, Malan emphasized the importance of Young Texas Artist’s commitment to preparing musicians for careers beyond the concert hall.

“I mentor so many young students who I meet in masterclasses and conferences where I’m often the the conference opening concert,” Malan says. “And then I teach masterclasses to these young kids. In a music program, we learn everything about medieval music history.

“But it’s not the skills that you truly need in life. To file your taxes and do self employment taxes is a whole big game. And marketing and how to record a decent CD. Or how to write a biography.”

Through its annual competition and programs, Young Texas Artists helps emerging artists build the skills and opportunities to turn talent into lasting careers.

YTA’s Bach Beethoven and Barbecue event will be held in March of 2027. Applications are now open for the music competition.