Date and Time: January 13, 2026
Time: 5:00–6:00 PM
Location: Voice of Hope 4120 Gentry Drive, Dallas, Texas 75212
Partners: Voice of Hope
On January 13, 2026, from 5:00–6:00 PM, students at the Voice of Hope West Dallas Center will experience the living traditions of accordion music through a special demonstration led by acclaimed performing artists Anthony Dopsie and Elisa DeHoyos. This interactive session is part of Texas Folklife’s Handed Down Youth Folk Arts Education program, which connects young people to cultural heritage through direct engagement with tradition bearers.
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 immersed in the rhythmic pulse and cultural richness of Creole music. His performances blend soulful authenticity with a fresh, dynamic energy. Anthony is a GRAMMY Award winner, two-time GRAMMY Award nominee, and an inductee of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Joining him is Elisa Marie DeHoyos, a celebrated accordionist, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist from McAllen, Texas. Born into a musical family, Elisa began playing piano accordion at age seven and transitioned to button accordion by age eleven. She learned by ear alongside her mother at church and later studied with renowned accordionists Juan Lugo, Gilberto Perez, and George Ochoa. Influenced by legends such as Flaco Jiménez, Eva Ybarra, Esteban Jordan, Mingo Saldivar, and Ruben Vela, Elisa has performed across the United States with her family band and now plays with Texas Sweethearts and Monstruo Bohemio. A winner of the 41st Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio Poster Contest for her painting Accordeones y Oraciones, Elisa continues to teach, perform, and paint, centering the accordion as both instrument and cultural symbol.
Together, Anthony and Elisa will introduce students to the history, technique, and cultural significance of the accordion across zydeco and conjunto traditions—bringing music, story, and heritage to life in an engaging, hands-on learning experience.