The 53rd annual Grammy Awards had a host of Houston connections this year — and it wasn't all courtesy of Beyoncé.

Ars Lyrica earned a nod for their world premiere recording of "Marc Antonio e Cleopatra" by Johann Adolf Hasse in the opera category, but were ultimately beaten out by Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin's recording of "Saariaho: L'Amour De Loin."

Lakewood Church's worship leader Israel Houghton picked up his fourth Grammy for best pop/contemporary gospel album for his Love God. Love People. The London Sessions. Houghton is close to Lakewood pastor Joel Osteen and has performed live at many of Osteen's stadium appearances.

And two High School for the Performing and Visual Arts graduates — pianist Charles Jones and dancer Leah Adler — performed, Jones with Mick Jagger and Adler with Katy Perry.

Editor's note: For up-to-the-minute Grammy fun, follow Caroline Gallay's live tweeting at twitter.com/CultureMap.