Mónica Del Valle

We sat down with drummer and percussionist Mónica Del Valle to discuss her career so far and thoughts around the drums, music and education.

To begin with, I would like to know details about yourself and some background on your music journey.

I would describe myself as an introvert who found her voice through the drums. I have always been shy, but somehow the drums allowed me to express myself freely. That is why I love this instrument so much.

I have always been surrounded by music. My mom got me listening to classical music and pop from the 80s. My dad had the biggest vinyl record collection. He introduced me to bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and everything in between.
I later got into alternative rock music.

Some of my first musical memories are putting my dad’s records and air-drumming to them. I remember asking for drum lessons and my parents taking me to a local music academy. I was the only girl asking to play the drums. I remember they took me to a room full of practice pads. The boys on the other hand were taken to the actual drum rooms where they were playing the real instrument. I remember feeling devastated and I promised myself that somehow, I would try and make it as a drummer, even if it had to be on my own. That is how I began my journey as a self-taught drummer. That is also one of the reasons why I got into education. I wanted to make sure that other girls wouldn´t go thought what I went through as a little girl asking for drum lessons.

How would you describe your relationship with music?

I have always been fascinated with the fact that music is there where words are not available. It´s almost indescribable the feeling I get when I´m playing. It just feels that I´m where I belong.

I have been fortunate enough to experience various kinds of jobs as a drummer, though I wish there could be more women. I guess now with social media, it´s easier to contact other girls that want to do the same. I basically grew up not knowing anyone that I could relate with. So, I think, being involved with other women is extremely important. It´s not about females’ vs males, it´s about supporting each other while everyone goes through their process, either learning the instrument or going from amateur to professional. I guess therefore, I love education so much. It´s neutral ground. If young kids get to see or experience camaraderie whether you´re a boy or a girl, if they learn that it´s not about your gender, then I guess I´ve done my job.

This is something that I have observed, especially in the pop world, where sometimes how you look is more important than how you play. For girls, I´ve seen how this is an issue on both sides. Either they get discouraged because they´re not “pretty enough”, or they think that it´s just about looking pretty and not paying attention at all to the process of actually learning the instrument. I hope my work can be an example to encourage girls that, regardless of how they look, if they work hard enough, everything is possible.

What do you think about music education?

Education for me is extremely important. I try to keep it 50/50. 50% playing experience and 50% teaching that which I learn and passing it down to other people. What drives me to be an educator is thinking about my 12-year-old self. When no one wanted me to teach me how to play because “girls don’t play drums”. I´ve made it my mission to stop that from happening to other girls.
I try to let my work speak for me so that other girls know that anything they set their mind to, they can achieve.

What changes do you think need to be made to empower women and girls in the field of music?

One thing that I think is also important, is the fact that, as women, we need to stop thinking about ourselves as victims. Yes, it might be hard being in a mostly male-dominated field, but it´s possible. We must think about what are the things that we can control. We can control how much we practice; we can control our attitude; we can control how we manage situations. If we can just worry about these things, the victim mentality goes away. Our path is up to us, male or female. If I was able to do it, anybody can. This is the main thing that must change in the “music industry” and only we are able to make that happen.

Please give your message to the next generation.

I hope that the next generation of female drummers can understand this: It´s your path, do it for you. Work hard, work smart, play the long-term game and do it with integrity. And even if you only do it as a hobby, you call the shots. No one else does. Stay healthy and stay happy.

biography

She began her piano studies at the age of 9, to later enter the Bachelor of Music at the University of the Americas - Puebla. In 2004 she graduated Magna Cum Laude and since then she traces an implacable trajectory within which her participation in the percussion section of the Puebla State Symphony Orchestra, La Camerata de Coahuila (considered the best Chamber Orchestra in the Country) stands out, as session drummer for “La Voz México” (Inner Music), drummer for Juan Carlos Lozano's band (Moenia, Morbo) and member of the band that accompanied Cristian Castro live. In addition to her expertise in various stages of the Mexican Republic and the world, such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Metropolitan Theater, the National Auditorium, La Arena Ciudad de México, among others; this is just a part of her that has led her to belong to the Yamaha family.

Mónica currently traces an outstanding career in musical theater, being a drummer and percussionist in works such as "Jesucristo Super Estrella" and "José El Soñador" (Torreón, Coahuila), "Amor Pop" and "Sessions México" (Guadalajara, Jalisco), " Peter Pan”, “Mary Poppins”, Wicked (OCESA Teatro), and currently in the biggest productions in Latin America “El Rey León”, “RENT” and “Billy Elliot”. To date she is a member of the pop-rock band "Los Rijabs" who are currently promoting on radio and television with their single "Condesprecio" in rotation for the top 40. The strength and style of Mónica Del Valle expands to an audience demanding her discipline and musical quality, not only through the stages but also through social networks.