Women of Conjunto Take the Stage in San Antonio

In a city where music is woven into its identity, San Antonio witnessed something powerful, a night where women didn’t just participate in conjunto… they led it. Roots to Reinas: De las Raíces a las Reinas, presented by Conjunto Heritage Taller (CHT), brought together an all-female lineup that honored the past, celebrated the present, and boldly shaped the future of conjunto music. More than a concert, the event was a cultural statement.

From the opening notes by CHT students to the final performance by legendary accordionist Eva Ybarra, the night told a story, one of legacy, resilience, and the undeniable role women have always played in this genre. For generations, conjunto has been considered a male-dominated space. But events like Roots to Reinas are rewriting that narrative, making it clear: women have always been part of the music, they just weren’t always given the stage.

That changed. The evening featured a powerful lineup of artists, each representing a different layer of conjunto’s evolution. Susan Torres Nevarez, a respected accordionist and educator, brought both tradition and innovation to the stage. With deep family roots in conjunto and a career that spans genres from Tejano to jazz, her presence was a reminder that women are not new to this space, they are foundational to it. As a member of the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and a leader in music education, she continues to shape the next generation.

Cruz Martinez carried forward a family legacy that helped define the sound of conjunto. Her performance honored decades of music history, rooted in harmony, storytelling, and cultural pride. Lisa Morales expanded the boundaries of the evening, blending Latin, folk, rock, and Americana influences. Singing in English, Spanish, and Spanglish, Morales delivered a performance that reflected the modern identity of the culture, layered, evolving, and deeply personal.

The Texas Sweethearts, an all-female group grounded in family and tradition, brought energy and unity to the stage. Their sound, a blend of Tejano, country, and Tex-Mex, highlighted the strength of women creating music together, on their own terms. And then came the headliner. Eva Ybarra, known as La Reina del Acordeón, closed the night with a performance that was both commanding and deeply emotional. A San Antonio icon, Ybarra has spent a lifetime breaking barriers in conjunto music.

Her influence extends far beyond the stage, mentoring young artists, including the next generation of all-female performers emerging through CHT. Her presence was more than symbolic. It was full circle. Throughout the evening, one message was clear: this is not a moment, it’s a movement. Roots to Reinas created space for young girls to see themselves in the music. It honored the women who came before, and it amplified the voices of those carrying the tradition forward.

In San Antonio, where culture lives through sound, storytelling, and community, this night proved that conjunto is not just surviving, it is evolving. And leading that evolution are women. Because conjunto isn’t just about where we come from. It’s about who we choose to lift up.