Nydia Rojas

Born in Whittier, California, in 1981, mariachi vocalist Nydia Rojas spent her formative years in Guadalajara, where exposure to the traditional sounds of northern Mexico first introduced her to ranchera and folk traditions. Regular performances with a local mariachi ensemble at an East Los Angeles restaurant began when she turned nine, followed by formal training through the Mariachi Heritage Society Program at the Los Angeles Music and Art School. Her rise to lead singer of the all-female Mariachi Reyba de Los Angeles paved the way for a solo deal with Arista Latin, resulting in the release of her self-titled debut album in 1997 at age sixteen. Two years afterward came the follow-up Si Me Conocieras.