BEHIND THE MUSIC OF

BERTAOLIVIA

The Full Story

Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Berta Olivia is a true Mariachi vocalist. She has been performing mariachi’s most beloved songs with a vibrancy and intensity that has distinguished her as one of the finest female vocalist in Northern California. For over a decade, she has entertained audiences with the expression of Mexico’s authentic musical heritage and is always embracing Mexico’s semblance of the land, the people and beauty of the heart. Bottom line, this “cachanilla’ can really sing!   She also scores big on style points, accentuating the inherent drama of her repertoire with theatrical delivery. Whether she is pounding out a “grito” or tinkling away at a bolero or balada, she is Mariachi, and yet she’s Ranchera with a dab of Cumbia added for good measure.  Along the way, she has been compared to many of her own female idols, sharing similarities of tone, pitch and clarity. “I am both humbled and honored at the comparisons”.

Her career began many years ago. While in attendance at a Beatriz Adriana concert, she was swept away by the power and presence of charro suits and the Mariachi musicians. “The lyrics told stories, “corridos” about my culture and traditions”. With no professional training, she dedicated herself to learning how to create the sounds of the female Mariachi.  Knowing that Mariachi was a male dominated art, she was determined to break through all the social stereotypes and barriers imposed on females.

Since then, she has performed and shared stages with some of the most recognized and respected names in the industry, including Yolanda Del Rio, Beatriz Adriana, Mercedes Castro, Los Comperos , Federico Villa, Pedro Infante Jr, to name a few. Bands include Malo, War, El Chicano, Tierra, and Sacramento’s very own “Los Elegantes.”  Berta Olivia has even performed in Mexico, her native country, and toured overseas to perform for United States Troops in places like South Korea and Japan.

 Berta has competed and won a number of talent competitions, most recently, taking home first place in “Best Mariachi Voice” of Northern California. She has also been awarded a “Sammy” given to outstanding Latino artists in the greater Sacramento area.

Berta Olivia has been able to build a loyal fan base the old-fashioned way- through hard work. The humble endeavor of Berta Olivia is to remain the voice and medium for female mariachi; to reflect and respect the treasured heritage through the pages of mariachi; and to express her cultural vision of mariachi without end.

This to Berta Olivia is the passion for mariachi!