Share
Accordionist Eva Ybarra Receives NEA National Heritage Fellowship - USAby Harley Jones |
Eva Ybarra, the “Queen of the Accordion,” is one of only a few professional women accordionists in conjunto music. Conjunto originated in the late 19th century in working-class communities along Texas-Mexico border, and is distinct to that region. As the leader of Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto, Ybarra has specialized in writing and composing original conjunto music while also exploring non-standard chord progressions, advancing the art form’s evolution. She has also performed and recorded many albums with her band, Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto. Besides being a professional musician, Ybarra is also a music educator. In 1997, she was the artist-in-residence at the University of Washington, where she taught accordion, bajo sexto, and guitarron. She has been an accordion instructor at Palo Alto College’s (San Antonio) conjunto program. Ybarra has received a number of awards in her life and the NEA National Heritage Fellowship further recognizes her contribution to Conjunto music. |