Michael: You attended Texas A & M University and the University of Texas. Have you had any formal music training either in college or in private?
Yelba: The Aggies had no music degrees at the time I attended. I belonged to the Texas A & M choir "The Century Singers", as that was the only avenue open to me at the time. I also competed and won (Second Place twice) the International Student's Talent Show - a major feat given the quality and quantity of participants from the many Nations that make up the A & M student body. I received an MBA from UT, and apart from The MBA Follies, where I performed to "Desperado and "I Only Want to Be With You", concentrated on my studies and graduating with Honors... My talent is purely God given and natural.
Michael: In the Houston market, you play to a very diverse community including many Hispanics, Anglos, Asians, and more. You also play diverse venues, mixing Salsa, Jazz, and softer performances into your schedule. Do you find much cross-over between your audiences? Do you have a core group of fans in Houston who have followed your different styles?
Yelba: The Nicaraguans do find me when I perform in public venues. I can always count on them coming and having a good time. I also have an email list of over 1,000 persons in Houston whom I notify of a public gig. For the most part, however, I am hired to perform at private events. For my private events I do find crossover, not just from the Latinos enjoying my songs in English, but the other way around also! Many Anglos take Salsa lessons and are actually quite good on the dance floor - but I guess my versatility is why they hire me in the first place!
Michael: Do you customize your playlists for performances? Do you say, "Well, this venue will have more dancing, so I will play XXX and YYY"? Are there standard songs audiences can expect to hear at just about any venue?
Yelba: Absolutely! Every performance is unique. I at times enthrall audiences with the diversity of the music I perform during softer performances. The Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors was a 45 minute performance last month featuring "Girl From Ipanema" (in Portuguese), "Besame Mucho", "This Masquerade", "Guantanamera", "Sabor a Mi", "La Vida es un Carnaval" (where the ladies danced), "When You Say Nothing At All" (yes it's country) and "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones. I received a standing ovation from the 70 + ladies attending. When I play at Corporate Parties, I break out the Disco ("I Will Survive") and R & B and Oldies. But, with the drop of the hat can play a Merengue and Salsa for the Hispanics in the audience or the adventuresome American. I guess I make both North and South America happy!
I always try to play "When You Say Nothing at All", "La Vida es un Carnaval" by Celia Cruz, "Corazon Espinado" by Santana, "Perfidia" by Agustin Lara and "Guantanamera" as well as "This Masquerade" and "Don't Know Why". I guess it's a strange group of songs but I have different reasons for performing each one!
Michael: What do you look for in selecting songs to add to your repertoire?
Yelba: I am a sucker for good lyrics. If I feel the message of the song in my heart and soul, I am better able to transmit that to my audience. I confess I do try to keep up with the latest fad as well to try to keep current.
Michael: Flamenco, Salsa, Tango, Bolero -- reviewers have associated your performances with many different Latin styles. If you had to pick one Latin style to adhere to for the next year, which would it be?
Yelba: Boleros without question.
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Latin Fire
The sample recordings Yelba offers on her Web site (from her collection, "Latin Fire") demonstrate the variety of styles she have mastered. Three of the songs, "Hotel California", "Last Kiss", and "All I have to do is dream" are drawn from American pop/rock music ("Last Kiss" is translated into Spanish). "El Talisman" is suitable for Salsa dancing. "Don Goyo" is a popular tango ballad. "Derroche" is a soft love song (suitable for dancing Cha Cha). "El Tamalito" (another Salsa) reveals Yelba's Peruvian experience.
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