VALERIE VARGAS
Director/Violin
Valerie Vargas is the founder and director of Mariachi Las Alteñas. Valerie's passion for culture and mariachi music started at an early age. Inspired by her parents, she joined her 5th-grade strings program and began learning how to play the violin. Valerie continued in the orchestra throughout middle school, high school, and college. At the age of 13, Valerie's journey in mariachi music began when she joined a church program, played mariachi, and danced Folklorico. At the age of 14, Valerie began playing professionally with a local female mariachi group where she gained experience in the mariachi genre. After playing professionally for five years and at the young age of 18, she decided to form Mariachi Las Alteñas. Valerie's passion for business and leadership began in high school and continued as she pursued a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Under her vision and leadership, the group has performed throughout the United States at many prestigious venues and events. Aside from managing Las Altenas, Vargas is currently forming a non-profit organization, Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council, with a mission to promote, elevate and preserve the mariachi music genre. Los Altos will bring awareness about mariachi music to communities through educational initiatives such as workshops, concerts, and festivals throughout the US. Valerie earned her Master's Degree in Business Administration Strategic Leadership in the Spring of 2022.
ANGELA CAMPOS
Musical Director/Violin
Angela Campos was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, and graduated from Madison high school in 2002. In 2003 she joined Las Alteñas as a lead violinist and vocalist. Angie recently became the Musical Director for Las Alteñas, making her its first female musical director. Angela has a Bachelor of Music-Instrumental Music degree and Certificate in Mariachi Education from Texas State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (M. Ed.) degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She also just earned her Esthetician License from Paul Mitchell School-San Antonio. Angela celebrates many accomplishments in her music career and continues to set an example as a leader. Angela owns a business alongside her husband, providing mariachi classes to all ages. The San Antonio Mariachi Academy is one of the first to provide these services in the San Antonio community. Angela is a proud parent of five children.
CARLA MEDINA
Violin
Carla Medina Ramirez joined Mariachi Las Alteñas in 2004. A native of Seguin, she started learning about mariachi in her senior year of high school. After graduation, she immersed herself in the renowned mariachi program at the University of Texas-Pan American, now UTRGV. During her time at UT-Pan Am, she was an original member of their first Femenil group, won the University Level Vocal Competition at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza and the Master’s Division at Noche de Gala. After performing onstage at the Vargas Extravaganza is when she had the opportunity to audition for Las Alteñas, and the rest is history. She was tapped to become the Associate Mariachi Director at Irving Middle School and loved her time there. Currently, she is Mariachi Co-Director at the non-profit organization Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin, where she first got her start in mariachi. She has been a licensed REALTOR® at Trinidad Realty Partners since 2018 and, above all, a mother to her two greatest loves - her son Alexander and daughter Scarlett.
SANDRA GONZALEZ
Violin
Sandra Gonzalez was born and raised in San Antonio and started playing music at age 5. She and her sister started with piano and then discovered the violin. Sandra enjoyed classical music and was active with the school orchestra program. At age 12, she became part of YOSA’s Philharmonic Orchestra, where she spent nine years and was part of the first youth orchestra to travel to Europe. It was her father's influence that steered her to mariachi. He was self-taught, learned from the community through church, and formed his mariachi group. Sandra began her mariachi adventure with Harlandale ISD and eventually joined her father’s group, Mariachi Tapatio, next to her sister. With the support of mariachi, she completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and has been a Neonatal and Postpartum Nurse since 1993. Sandra takes great pride in her nursing career but is ever grateful that mariachi music is what led her to performances all over the country. She has accompanied amazing artists and has shared the stage with Lucha Villa, Ana Gabriel, Mariachi Mujer 2000, Mariachi Divas, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Mariachi Camperos and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. Plus, she has performed at the White House, the Kennedy Center, and the Hollywood Bowl, to name a few. Sandra started MLA in 2008 with a small family of her own and has loved witnessing her Alteña sisters grow their own families and continue successful careers. She and her husband Pete have two busy daughters that keep adding to her resume now Uber driver and driving instructor are the latest job titles!
CELESTE RIOS VILLARREAL
Violin
Celeste Rios Villarreal was born and raised in Eagle Pass, TX, and has been a member of Mariachi Las Alteñas since 2015. Celeste's vocal talent and stage presence is a positive addition to the group. Her journey with mariachi music began after being influenced by her grandfather and mother at the age of 13 to join her middle school mariachi program. Celeste was involved in theater and musical productions since the age of 7. She had many roles that included; Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, Selena Quintanilla, Orphan Annie, and many more. Since her love of singing started at the age of 3, she loved the idea of learning mariachi and has not looked back since. Celeste has a bachelor's degree in Spanish with a minor in music from Texas State University. Throughout college, she performed with the Texas State Mariachi and Salsa Del Rio, the University's salsa band. In 2011, Celeste competed in the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, won 1st place in the college category, and earned the title "Best in the US," which allowed her to open up for Mariachi Vargas. She currently works as an elementary music teacher and Grade Team Leader for KIPP Un Mundo Dual Language Academy in San Antonio, TX, and recently started the school's first choir. Her musical inspiration is her grandfather and her husband Baldemar, who also share a love and passion for music. She hopes to keep inspiring her students and her most beautiful treasure, her lovely daughter Nadya.
Alexandra Cinta
Violin
BIO COMING SOON!!
TAYTUM RANGEL
Violin
BIO COMING SOON!!
VANESSA MORENO
Vihuela
Vanessa Moreno was born and raised on the south side of San Antonio who was introduced to mariachi music by her parents and has played the vihuela since age 6. Vanessa has been a founding member of Mariachi Las Alteñas since 2002 and the assistant administrator. In 1992, she began playing with the Wesley Community mariachi program, then moved to the Harlandale ISD mariachi, where she remained a part of that program until her senior year in 2004. Vanessa graduated from McCollum High School in 2004. In 2013 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in music and a mariachi certificate from Texas State University. While attending Texas State, Vanessa had the opportunity to perform with the award-winning Mariachi Nueva Generacion. In 2010, she competed at the national Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal Competition and received 1st place in the university category. In 2012, she traveled with the university group to South America, where she had the opportunity to perform for a live audience in Santiago, Chile. Music has allowed her to perform at prestigious venues and got to perform live on America's Got Talent while accompanying Sebastien De La Cruz. Vanessa is also a featured vocalist in Las Alteñas and is the spokesperson for the group during performances. She has a way with the audience that leaves people smiling and wanting more. Vanessa is known for her skills on the vihuela and was nicknamed "manita de oro." She was also the mariachi director at a public school for several years. In December 2021, Vanessa graduated with a double master's in Strategic Leadership and Business Administration and is now pursuing her new career in that field of study. Vanessa and Jackie have been married since 2012 and have a beautiful daughter named Mia Isabella.
JOSEPHINE GARCIA
Guitarron
Josephine Garcia joined Mariachi Las Alteñas in 2011. Her role as the group’s guitarronista plays a crucial part in the group, as she is the heartbeat of the ensemble. Her talent and skill as a musician don’t stop there. Josie is also a guitar and vihuela player. Her passion for mariachi music stems from generations of musicians within her family. Josie started learning music in the Harlandale ISD mariachi program since the 4th grade. By age 13, she and her sisters formed a group with other friends from the Harlandale mariachi program. Josie acquired experience while playing in multiple groups until she joined the Alteña family. Aside from being a musician, she has a career in counseling. Before this, she was an elementary school teacher for six years. Working with kids made her see how students struggle with social-emotional wellness; this led her to be a school counselor for six years. Josie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. In May of 2022, she received her certification as an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and ventured out of the education sector to accept a position as a mental health clinician. Whatever changes come her way, Josie hopes to continue playing mariachi music.
Rebecca Rodriguez
Guitar
Rebecca Rodriguez was born and raised in Houston, TX. Her journey in mariachi began at Johnston Middle school, where she started playing the vihuela. As a teenager, Rebecca continued her study of mariachi through an after-school program at Multicultural Education & Counseling through the Arts (MECA). Through MECA, she had the opportunity to travel to Norway and Vietnam to perform. Rebecca also graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and was accepted into Texas State University. She got to perform with Mariachi Lince de Oro, Mariachi Nueva Generacion, and Orquesta del Rio. During that time, she started playing professionally amongst multiple female mariachi groups in San Antonio, TX. After graduating from college in 2014 with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, she moved to San Antonio, TX, with her husband Sean and her dog Cien. Aside from mariachi, Rebecca maintains a professional human resources career as a recruiter. Rebecca joined Mariachi Las Alteñas as a guitar player in 2021 and is enjoying every moment with the group!
Lucila Diaz
Guitar
Lucila Diaz was born in Houston, TX, raised in Coahuila, Mexico as a young child, and is a first-generation Mexican-American. Her parents, from San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato, introduced her to all-time favorite singers such as Javier Solis, Vicente Fernandez, Pedro Infante, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Lucha Villa and Juan Gabriel. That is where her passion for playing mariachi music began. At the age of 9, she started playing guitar with her local church choir, where she later became a product of the San Antonio Independent School District Mariachi program. Lucila has played with various elite groups in Texas and has had the opportunity to meet famous singers such as George Strait, Jose Jose, Vicente Fernandez Jr., Banda Limon, Prince Royce, and others. Lucila is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. She also currently serves as Vice President of Development for a local multifamily developer. Lucila loves to entertain crowds with mariachi music and is fully engaged in giving back to the community through music and her involvement in developing workforce housing. More importantly, she is a mother to four great children (Jose Enrique, Catalina, Gabriella, and Pablo, Jr.) and is grateful for her loving husband, Pablo.
CLAUDIA RENEE GONZALEZ
Trumpet
Claudia-Renée Gonzalez was born in Oakland, California, and lived on a military base near Fresno, California most of her life. She began playing trumpet at the age of 10 at the Kings Cultural Center, where she had been in ballet Folklorico for many years. Claudia later worked at the center teaching beginners how to play and read music. Before moving to Texas, she played mariachi professionally with her siblings in California. Her family has always played an enormous role as her inspiration and support in pursuing her passion for mariachi music. At the young age of 18, Claudia moved to San Antonio to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio. Shortly after, Claudia became a member of Las Alteñas and is now going on ten years with the group. Claudia holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition with a Minor in Music Technology and directed the UTSA Mariachi Los Paisanos student organization from 2017 to 2018. Now, aside from performing with Las Alteñas, Claudia manages the different avenues of the band’s multimedia: managing social media, marketing, creating and directing music videos, providing custom music arrangements, and more.
ARACELI MARTINEZ
Trumpet
Araceli Martinez was born and raised in the Westside of San Antonio, Texas. Coming from a family of musicians, her passion for music was sparked at an early age by her grandpa and uncle, who are local Tejano musicians. Along with the support of her parents, at the age of 12, she started her musical journey as a student of SAISD’s Irving Middle School, performing and competing on trumpet in Band, Mariachi, Orchestra, Jazz, and Solo/Ensemble groups. She attended Fox Tech High School, continued to be involved in the music programs, and made it into the 2014 All-State Band her senior year. After graduating, she took a break and attended San Antonio College, focusing on basics first, then her music degree. She was a part of San Antonio College's very own Mariachi Estrellas del Alamo, performing year-round and competing at the university level for two years at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza and Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque. Araceli recently graduated with an Associate of Arts degree and is looking forward to furthering her education in music. Her dream is to make it into a Symphony. In 2019, Araceli joined on with Mariachi Las Alteñas as a trumpet player. When she is not performing alongside her Alteña sisters, she enjoys her time practicing, strumming her ukulele, playing video games, and taking care of her fur babies. Although she did not take up her grandpa and uncle's genre of music, her family still makes an effort to jam out regularly to past-time favorites.
CLAUDIA “YARE” GUTIERREZ
Trumpet
BIO COMING SOON!!