Daniel Valdez was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, and relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in August 2007 to take a position as a full-time mariachi educator for the Clark County School District (CCSD). While in Tucson, Mr. Valdez organized and instructed non-profit youth mariachi ensembles, participated as an instructor at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference for two years and participated as an instructor for Gear Upís Summer Mariachi Camp at the University of Arizona for three years teaching the Math Through Mariachi program. Mr. Valdez also performed with Mariachi Cielo de Mexico, a professional mariachi ensemble in Tucson, for four years and has performed with the nationally-renowned Mariachi Vargas, Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Sol de MÈxico, Mariachi Cobre, and Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara. He has also recorded a CD of Tejano music.
Mr. Valdez is currently teaching at Desert Pines High School where he has over 100 students enrolled in his Mariachi program. He also serves as co-chair of the CCSD Mariachi Conference and Festival.