Accordion Music Advisory Council (AMAC)
Texas Folklife is proud to announce the launch of the Accordion Music Advisory Council (AMAC)—a new initiative to reimagine and guide the future of our Big Squeeze Program.
For nearly two decades, the Big Squeeze has provided a vital platform for young accordionists, offering performance opportunities, skills development, and mentorship in the diverse accordion traditions of Texas, including Conjunto, Tejano, Zydeco, Cajun, Norteño, Polka, and Classical. Now, as we look to deepen the program’s reach and impact, we are inviting tradition bearers and culture keepers like you to help shape its next chapter.
The Role of the Accordion Music Advisory Council
Members of AMAC will serve as both advisors and ambassadors, helping to ensure that the Big Squeeze remains a living, evolving celebration of Texas’s accordion heritage. Council members will:
- Advise on program design and statewide outreach strategies
- Serve as ambassadors of the Big Squeeze in your communities and networks
- Support youth mentorship and music education
- Strengthen regional and cultural connections across Texas and beyond
- Contribute to performance opportunities, both multi-generational and digital
2025–2026 AMAC Members
We are honored to welcome the inaugural members of the Accordion Music Advisory Council:
Anthony Dopsie, Chairman
Accordionist, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters
Anthony Dopsie is a gifted accordionist and an integral member of Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters, proudly carrying forward the legacy of his father, the legendary Rockin’ Dopsie Sr. Raised in the heart of Louisiana’s vibrant zydeco tradition, Anthony grew up surrounded by the rhythmic pulse and rich cultural heritage of Creole music.
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Elisa De Hoyos, Co-Chair
Accordionist, The Texas Sweethearts and Monstruo Bohemio
Elisa Marie De Hoyos was born to a musical family March 1987 in Mcallen, Texas and began to play the piano accordion at the young age of seven. Her many influences were Flaco Jimenez, Mingo Saldivar, Ruben Vela, Albert Zamora, Sunny Sauceda, Jaime DeAnda and Juancho Rois. Elisa started with a piano accordion and later progressed to the…
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Zeth Seven Lara
Accordionist, Educator at the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Zeth Seven Lara is a twenty-five year old from the birthplace of conjunto music, San Benito, Texas. He started his accordion journey at the age of two and by four, was receiving lessons from his grandfather, Rigoberto Garza. Zeth was also taught by conjunto Hall of Famer, Jose Moreno, for eleven years. On the saxophone, Zeth was taught by one of the best…
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Juan Longoria Jr.
Accordionist, Los Potrillos and Conteño
Juan Longoria Jr. is a Texas-Mexican Conjunto accordionist. Juan, inspired by his father and uncles, co-founded two musical groups, Los Potrillos (1998) and Conteño (2008), alongside his brother Federico. Hailing from Brownsville, Texas, Conteño combines Conjunto, Tejano, and Norteño styles, creating an energetic, modern…
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Danny Zapletal
Accordionist, Czech and Then Some
Danny began playing professionally at the age of 15. Danny began playing full-time with Texas Dutchmen in 1980. He played 18 years with Harry Czarnek and the Texas Dutchmen and played with Harry’s touring band when they traveled out of the State of Texas. He came back to the band after Harry’s passing in 2009 to help keep Harry’s authentic sound…
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