Eva Ybarra, known professionally as “La Reina del Acordeón” (“The Queen of Accordion”), is a venerated conjunto accordionist, band leader, and music educator. Ybarra hails from San Antonio, Texas. Eva began her musical journey at the age of four when she received her first accordion. A self-taught accordionist, she picked up most of the early tunes she learned how to play by listening to the radio.

Known for her progressive style of conjunto music, Ybarra takes her fans through a blend of conjunto, mariachi, and to the edge of jazz with a passion that translates across generations. Her powerful voice and soul-playing accordion style have made her a legend in conjunto music. Ybarra’s contributions to conjunto go beyond the stage as she has also been a dedicated music educator for many years. She served as an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Washington (Seattle, WA). Ybarra’s contributions to the San Antonio music scene are immesurable as she has been an instructor for many staple conjunto programs across the city. Over her storied career, Ybarra has received numerous lifetime achievement recognitions and is a multi-time Hall-of-Famer. Her career has even been immortalized via playscript. In 2015, “La Reina del Acordeón: Eva Ybarra’s Life on Stage” was sold out throughout the entirety of its run. In 2017, the National Endowment for the Arts named Ybarra a National Heritage Fellow. Ybarra was chosen to represent the state of Texas as the 2022 Texas State Musician. Eva is currently the bandleader, accordionist and lead vocalist for Eva Ybarra Y Su Conjunto Siempre.

It is my great honor to be recognized as a Taproot Artist. I am humbled to be recognized by such a program that recognizes individuals who are exceptional at their practice and humbly serve their communities. I am elated to be among this outstanding group of artists.

Dr. Dwayne Tomah is a Language Keeper, he is a teacher of the Passamaquoddy language and culture. He is the youngest fluent speaker of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and has served on the Tribal Council. His life has been dedicated to working on the language and culture preservation, he has edited the Passamaquoddy dictionary and worked to help create the Apple ~ Passamaquoddy Language App. He shares Native legends through song and dance.

Dwayne is currently working with the Library of Congress on translating the Passamaquoddy Wax Cylinders. These recordings are the first recordings in the world of Native languages. They were recorded in 1890 by Jesse Walter Fewkes, who borrowed the device from the inventor Thomas Edison. Dwayne has also been involved in repatriation and Land Back issues. He shares historical truth regarding The Doctrine of Discovery from an Indigenous perspective. He has also worked with Animal Planet on a segment called Winged Creatures, highlighting the history of the Thunderbird.

Born and raised in Washington DC, Anwan “Big G” Glover has the ability to mesmerize audiences on screen and on stage. Anwan’s presence and distinctive raspy baritone voice captivates all. At a very young age Anwan participated in theatrical projects, he then combined acting with dance in middle school where he received several awards for his on-stage performances. Such accolades motivated Anwan to create which would become one the most successful and widely known Go-Go Bands in Washington, DC — the “Backyard Band”, also known as “BYB.” As the lead rapper, “BYB” was only the beginning to Anwan’s love for entertaining.

Anwan landed his breakthrough role of ‘Slim Charles’ on HBO’s “The Wire” in 2004. Since the sensation of Slim Charles, he has appeared in featured films such as The Notorious and Rocket Science as well as Learning Uncle Vernon (LUV) alongside Common; Native and Prospect films. He has been seen on other major network television shows such as Law & Order, Elementary, Ugly Betty, and Scream Queens. Because of his great work ethic and passion for entertainment, the writer’s of HBO’s the “WIRE” casted him as ‘Keevon White’, a re-occurring role on the hit HBO series “TREME”.

Being named a Taproot Fellow is one of the most endearing accomplishments in my career. Besides having the ability to lift my community through music, being a Taproot artist bridges the gap to ensure the music sustains. I am truly humbled and grateful to be a part of a community that champions an art that is community focused. As a Taproot artist, it will allow the art to be shown to the world.