Valerie Vargas,Executive Director

Alteña since: 2002 (she is the founder!)

Instrument: Violin, Vocals

Valerie Fact: Valerie is a newlywed!

Valerie Vargas is the director and founder of Mariachi Las Alteñas. Her love for mariachi music started at an early age. Inspired by her parents, she began learning the violin in an elementary school strings program and continued in the orchestra throughout middle school, high school, and college. 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. Under her vision and leadership, the group has performed throughout the United States at many prestigious venues and events for over 20 years. Valerie's passion for business and leadership led her to pursue a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Aside from managing Las Altenas, Vargas is the Executive Director for a non-profit organization, Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council, with a mission to promote, elevate and preserve the mariachi music genre. Los Altos brings 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 with a concentration in Strategic Leadership in the Spring of 2022. Her passion for entrepreneurship and events expanded in the summer of 2024 as she and her husband launched their new event coordinating, luxury flower wall and decor business, De Vargas Productions.