Norma Valles learned to adapt to circumstances since her childhood. "I remember that when I was a child I used to sing along with my grandfather De Colores to the simple accompaniment of a three string guitar." Later, she will face harder challenges.
En español: Norma Valles -Una historia de determinación y talento
"All the songs were always in the same key,", explains Valles, smiling, while evoking the image of her childhood: "At that time there was not much money, and his guitar had nothing more than three strings."
In her office, north of Dallas, Valles has behind her desk, on the top right, a picture of her grandfather: Luis Rocha, born in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, a town located south on the Mexican border.
Her love for him and her deep Mexican roots made Norma value and respect the mariachi and Rancheras since childhood- her father sang as well, but he was into the Norteño style.
Norma was born in Dallas, and contrary to the controversy that arose last year when a boy dressed as a charro sang the United States national anthem during the NBA finals in San Antonio, this Mariachi-Texan receives a standing ovation every time she performs the Star Spangled Banner at Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks games.
"I can't believe people insulted a child. I have been singing for many years in Dallas wearing my traje de Charra. [And to my surprise], one time that I was not dressed in my Charra outfit to sing the National Anthem at one of the Rangers home games, I was asked, what happened, why don't you have your Traje on?," recalled Valles.
Her formal beginnings in music date back to 1996-97, when a friend signed her up – without telling her – for a contest that La Fuente magazine (at that time published by the Dallas Morning News) organized to attract Latin soloists, musicians and groups.
Norma made it through all the preliminary rounds and won the main prize of the contest, participating as a mariachi-ranchero performer in a close competition.
At age 16, she had won a contest at South Grand Prairie High School singing “Somewhere over the rainbow”, and her teacher always urged her to pursue a career.
But her parents were very strict and did not allow her to begin developing her passion at that age.
"When I was at home, my parents were very conservative. I'm the only girl, I have an older brother and a younger brother. So, I couldn't do much. I was in my own world, I listened to my music. There was a lady who wanted to launch me when I was very young, but my parents didn't let me."
Later on, she realized "I must be a light for others, and I began singing and never looked back," Valles recalls.
During the contest of “La Fuente”, Norma met the man who would later become her long time manager George Olvera, who invited her to join the group “Carino” (affection), Tejano music.
"Norma auditioned to sing with us, and from that moment on she sounded like she was part of the group," Olvera recalls.
Valles sang with the group for a year, before becoming a solo performer. She started to build her career as a singer and entrepreneur in the following years. Now she is a mother of three children, the fruit of her marriage with her husband Alfonso.
"She has a charisma that not many artists have. When she performs, she does it at one hundred percent and therefore always has a very supportive audience," says Olvera, who considers Norma a sister.
In 1998 she sang the U.S. national anthem for the first time before thousands of people. It was in the extinct Reunion Arena… "I felt nervous although I had practiced well, but you have to focus on the flag, think about what you're singing, get into the song and after that, you forget everything that surrounds you."
She has also performed the Mexican national anthem at various events; on occasion, she has even been chosen to sing both anthems (US-MEX) at the same ceremony.
STRONG AND TALENTED. During the interview, Valles remembered that she had an opportunity to record with Sony Records.
"I was introduced to a gentleman, who said to me: ‘I like the way you sing, you are very beautiful, but I want to talk to you in the hotel, without the suit (of charra) or any clothes on,’ I did not want to have to compromise my beliefs and values, so I did not go."
She then, decided to focus more in becoming a fulltime businesswoman without leaving music. "I have always been a businesswoman. I began working for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and continued singing," she summarizes.
On one occasion, President Clinton was eating at the Ojeda's Restaurant, and Valles, in a spontaneous outburst, stood up to sing a cappella for him.
"Any opportunity that comes my way, I take advantage of it."
Last November, during a visit by former Mexican President Vicente Fox to attend a gala with businessmen from Dallas, Valles sang the U.S. national anthem.
Partner and Mentor. In early 2003, after singing the national anthem at a Mavericks game, Norma met David Albert, who convinced her to record jazz, country and concept albums. And they have been partners ever since.
"He taught me a lot about business, (and said) that there are no limits, that you can do everything you want to achieve.
"He is the investor, and I produce. From music to ‘Sí Se Puede’ educational tutorials, to a Citizenship guide CD, 100 (questions and answers)," explains Valles.
Whether for private parties, galas, sports events or educational videos, Norma Valles' voice has fulfilled its purpose, and has earned respect and recognition among her community.
"She has always been a professional woman, with a spectacular voice," says Dr. Elba Garcia, Dallas County Commissioner.
"The most beautiful thing about Ms. Valles is that she performs at many events free, she does many things to educate us about the beauty of the Mexican and American culture," adds Garcia.
Liberated. But the path that Valles traveled before reaching her success, so much like a singer, businesswoman and mother of three children in fact was not simple at all.
"I was sexually abused as a child, but that didn’t stop me from becoming the person I am," Valles said.
"Many times when that happens, one looks for drugs or alcohol, or remedies to solve what one feels; but I told myself, I am going to forgive them, I am going to do something better with my life, because I don’t want anyone to have me tied down, and I am not going to let them have the last word on me."
Valles decided to share her story, so that other people in similar circumstances know that it doesn’t end there. "It is the most liberating thing one can do, - maybe it is a little different, because since I was a child my roots were well-founded, but I went through what I went through and I didn’t blame anyone for it.
"I tell my daughters, and also my son, that one cannot change the past, but one can change the future. You have to forgive and not let someone have power over your life," she says.
Norma Valles performs on the first Tuesday of every month at Casita Tex Mex on Blackwell Street, where a percentage of the proceeds go to a nonprofit organization. She also sings at Casita Tex Mex on Royal on some Fridays and Saturdays. Both establishments, in Dallas, are owned by her.
En español: Norma Valles -Una historia de determinación y talento
"All the songs were always in the same key,", explains Valles, smiling, while evoking the image of her childhood: "At that time there was not much money, and his guitar had nothing more than three strings."
In her office, north of Dallas, Valles has behind her desk, on the top right, a picture of her grandfather: Luis Rocha, born in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, a town located south on the Mexican border.
Her love for him and her deep Mexican roots made Norma value and respect the mariachi and Rancheras since childhood- her father sang as well, but he was into the Norteño style.
Norma was born in Dallas, and contrary to the controversy that arose last year when a boy dressed as a charro sang the United States national anthem during the NBA finals in San Antonio, this Mariachi-Texan receives a standing ovation every time she performs the Star Spangled Banner at Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks games.
"I can't believe people insulted a child. I have been singing for many years in Dallas wearing my traje de Charra. [And to my surprise], one time that I was not dressed in my Charra outfit to sing the National Anthem at one of the Rangers home games, I was asked, what happened, why don't you have your Traje on?," recalled Valles.
Her formal beginnings in music date back to 1996-97, when a friend signed her up – without telling her – for a contest that La Fuente magazine (at that time published by the Dallas Morning News) organized to attract Latin soloists, musicians and groups.
Norma made it through all the preliminary rounds and won the main prize of the contest, participating as a mariachi-ranchero performer in a close competition.
At age 16, she had won a contest at South Grand Prairie High School singing “Somewhere over the rainbow”, and her teacher always urged her to pursue a career.
But her parents were very strict and did not allow her to begin developing her passion at that age.
"When I was at home, my parents were very conservative. I'm the only girl, I have an older brother and a younger brother. So, I couldn't do much. I was in my own world, I listened to my music. There was a lady who wanted to launch me when I was very young, but my parents didn't let me."
Later on, she realized "I must be a light for others, and I began singing and never looked back," Valles recalls.
During the contest of “La Fuente”, Norma met the man who would later become her long time manager George Olvera, who invited her to join the group “Carino” (affection), Tejano music.
"Norma auditioned to sing with us, and from that moment on she sounded like she was part of the group," Olvera recalls.
Valles sang with the group for a year, before becoming a solo performer. She started to build her career as a singer and entrepreneur in the following years. Now she is a mother of three children, the fruit of her marriage with her husband Alfonso.
"She has a charisma that not many artists have. When she performs, she does it at one hundred percent and therefore always has a very supportive audience," says Olvera, who considers Norma a sister.
In 1998 she sang the U.S. national anthem for the first time before thousands of people. It was in the extinct Reunion Arena… "I felt nervous although I had practiced well, but you have to focus on the flag, think about what you're singing, get into the song and after that, you forget everything that surrounds you."
She has also performed the Mexican national anthem at various events; on occasion, she has even been chosen to sing both anthems (US-MEX) at the same ceremony.
STRONG AND TALENTED. During the interview, Valles remembered that she had an opportunity to record with Sony Records.
"I was introduced to a gentleman, who said to me: ‘I like the way you sing, you are very beautiful, but I want to talk to you in the hotel, without the suit (of charra) or any clothes on,’ I did not want to have to compromise my beliefs and values, so I did not go."
She then, decided to focus more in becoming a fulltime businesswoman without leaving music. "I have always been a businesswoman. I began working for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and continued singing," she summarizes.
On one occasion, President Clinton was eating at the Ojeda's Restaurant, and Valles, in a spontaneous outburst, stood up to sing a cappella for him.
"Any opportunity that comes my way, I take advantage of it."
Last November, during a visit by former Mexican President Vicente Fox to attend a gala with businessmen from Dallas, Valles sang the U.S. national anthem.
Partner and Mentor. In early 2003, after singing the national anthem at a Mavericks game, Norma met David Albert, who convinced her to record jazz, country and concept albums. And they have been partners ever since.
"He taught me a lot about business, (and said) that there are no limits, that you can do everything you want to achieve.
"He is the investor, and I produce. From music to ‘Sí Se Puede’ educational tutorials, to a Citizenship guide CD, 100 (questions and answers)," explains Valles.
Whether for private parties, galas, sports events or educational videos, Norma Valles' voice has fulfilled its purpose, and has earned respect and recognition among her community.
"She has always been a professional woman, with a spectacular voice," says Dr. Elba Garcia, Dallas County Commissioner.
"The most beautiful thing about Ms. Valles is that she performs at many events free, she does many things to educate us about the beauty of the Mexican and American culture," adds Garcia.
Liberated. But the path that Valles traveled before reaching her success, so much like a singer, businesswoman and mother of three children in fact was not simple at all.
"I was sexually abused as a child, but that didn’t stop me from becoming the person I am," Valles said.
"Many times when that happens, one looks for drugs or alcohol, or remedies to solve what one feels; but I told myself, I am going to forgive them, I am going to do something better with my life, because I don’t want anyone to have me tied down, and I am not going to let them have the last word on me."
Valles decided to share her story, so that other people in similar circumstances know that it doesn’t end there. "It is the most liberating thing one can do, - maybe it is a little different, because since I was a child my roots were well-founded, but I went through what I went through and I didn’t blame anyone for it.
"I tell my daughters, and also my son, that one cannot change the past, but one can change the future. You have to forgive and not let someone have power over your life," she says.
Norma Valles performs on the first Tuesday of every month at Casita Tex Mex on Blackwell Street, where a percentage of the proceeds go to a nonprofit organization. She also sings at Casita Tex Mex on Royal on some Fridays and Saturdays. Both establishments, in Dallas, are owned by her.
