Verónica Castillo is an internationally acclaimed artist from Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla, México, and now based in San Antonio, Texas. At a very young age, under the tutelage of her parents, renowned artists Don Alfonso Castillo Orta and Doña Soledad Martha Hernández Báez, she was exposed to the artistic technique of working in polychromatic ceramics, a tradition passed on from generation to generation. Verónica continues to build upon these traditions, while focusing on contemporary issues of injustice and inequality. Her exhibits have achieved national and international recognition, from the Smithsonian in Washington DC to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago to the Museo Amparo in Puebla, Mexico. In 2013, Verónica Castillo received the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship Award. In 2023, Veronica received the Catalyst for a Change Fellowship Award from NALAC and the UTSA Democratizing Racial Justice Artist Residency. She is the owner of E.V.A. (Ecos y Voces de Arte), a gallery on the Southside of San Antonio. Together with an international network of artists, E.V.A. offers the space and support for various forms of cultural art to thrive.

I have deep gratitude for my work with art and with the community surrounding me. I work with the elements of life: water, earth, fire and air. I wouldn’t be my quality as a human being if I had not appreciated all that life has given me to be a steward in shaping and giving voice through the earth. Were I not capable of sharing this legacy that my ancestors have given me through this art, if I did not share it with others, I would be falling into a contradiction. That I would be seeking justice for Mother Earth and not have the ability to share it — that would be a true contradiction to my work and love of Mother Earth. The gift of Taproot gives me the opportunity to continue giving.

Juan Longoria Jr., inspired by the musical influences of his father, Juan Longoria Sr., and his uncles, “Los Halcones Del Valle,” co-founded the musical groups “Los Potrillos” in 1998 and “Conteño” in 2008 with his brother Federico Longoria. “Conteño” is representative of the harmonious balance of styles distinctive to regional Texas-Mexican music including the genres of Conjunto, Tejano and Norteño.

Grupo Conteño, hailing from the border town of Brownsville, Texas, has a signature style that is an explosion of upbeat, modern rythms rooted in traditional sounds. These unique characteristics have created a faithful fan base in the Rio Grande Valley and throughout the state of Texas. Juan has received various individual awards throughout his professional career as an accordionist. Juan was named the 1st place winner at “The Big Squeeze” accordion competition held by Texas Folklife in June 2007 and was subsequently featured in Hector Galan’s documentary, “The Big Squeeze,” released in 2008. In the fall of 2012, Juan was given the opportunity to found a new conjunto music program at Los Fresnos High School in Los Fresnos, Texas. The conjunto program has blossomed over the last eleven years and now accounts for about 100 students yearly receiving fine arts credit as part of the program. In May 2017, the Texas State Senate issued Senate Resolution 670 to the Los Fresnos High School Conjunto at the State Capital in Austin, Texas in recognition of their preservation of Texas folk music. In 2016, Conteño was selected to participate in the national folk festival circuit including performances and workshops at Montana and Richmond Folk Festivals.

Juan has continued to support the preservation and promotion of traditional Texas-Mexican conjunto music through participation in various apprentice, consulting and educational programs with various educational and folk organizations in the state of Texas and across the nation.

Being a Taproot Fellow is an honor that I share with my family, friends, and community. I perform and teach accordion-based conjunto music not only because I love music, but because of the way this music strengthens the bond of families and communities. The recognition of being a Taproot Fellow helps support and promote the rich musical culture of my Mexican-American heritage and allows conjunto music to be recognized on a national scale. I learned this music through my father, uncles, and friends, and being a Taproot artist gives me a sense of assurance that I will be able to continue to foster the legacy I have inherited through my students, community, and the nation.

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.