Majo Valerio

María José Valerio was born on July 9, 1980, in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires.

She took her first steps in art world during her childhood. She used to take lessons on dancing, theater and music, mostly in workshops.

At the age of ten, she joined Avellaneda´s Municipal Institute of Artistic Education Children Choir.

In 1996 she entered the Institute of Vocational Art (M. J. Labarden), where she attended two years of Integral Formation, followed by two more years on Musical Specializing carrer.

“I really enjoyed going to the IVA. I chose Music to specialize on, as one of the many artistic paths you can walk on. And it was quite an important learning process”.

At the age of 18, she started taking guitar lessons in Avellaneda´s Musical Institute. Currently, she got her degree in Musical Educator in 2008.

She attended a workshop on Autochthonous Instruments, in the Folklore and Handicraft Argentinean Institute, conducted by Professor Horacio Quintana. There, and for six years, she specialized on Latin American Music, as well as on the know-how of diverse musical instruments. She co-founded “Mamaqcaña” group, performing tours and presentations in many provinces throughout the country.

“I’m really thankful ‘cause I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of that group. We shared unforgettable moments together. Trips, experiences, learning processes, rounds of Mate and lots of Music”

Between 2000 and 2002, she performed several times as a member of Avellaneda´s Musical Institute, conducted by Ricardo Barrera.

She studied Chamber´s Music in the Integral Music School with Master Mónica Cosachov, and attended summer lessons four years in a row.

She also took singing lessons with Soprano Cecilia Lavesca.

Simultaneoulsy, she attended Theater lessons and, at the age of 22, she graduated as a Puppet Master in Avellaneda´s Puppet´s School, performing a variety of shows since then.

“One afternoon I went to Avellaneda´s Theater Institute, feeling like signing up to be a member... And though there were no vacancies there, I realized the Puppet School was close, at the bottom of a long hallway. And there I went. I was very welcome, so I went almost every afternoon, and became a proud student and puppet master.”

In 2003, she was requested to join “Música Esperanza” group, sponsored by UNESCO, as a remarkable singer as well instrumentalist. She performed on several ocasions as a part of it, with highlights on events like Tilcara´s Mountain Music Embassy and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.

She first met Eduardo Ferraudi in 2003, as a Harmonic Instrument Guitar Professor, in Avellaneda´s Musical Institute. In 2005, she joined “ALBAHACA” as a Soprano Singer.