Saira Aldaco is an emerging young musician whose dedication to traditional Mexican music is bridging generations in California’s Central Valley. At just 18 years old, she plays guitar and bajo quinto for Las Damas del Valle, an all-female norteño group committed to reviving and celebrating the classic sounds of viejitas pero bonitas (oldies but goodies).

Saira was born and raised in Woodville, a small, welcoming town near Tulare and Tipton. Her family traces its roots to Michoacán, Mexico, with her father from Boteo and her mother from Morelia, who immigrated to the United States as teenagers, settling in Woodville.  

Her personal journey into music began unexpectedly after seeing a TikTok video during a family trip to Los Angeles. Intrigued, Saira bought her first guitar and began teaching herself to play and later received guidance from a friend of her older sister, who helped her learn basic techniques. Saira’s path took a pivotal turn when she was contacted by Sofía Plummer through Instagram. Surprised to find another young woman playing regional Mexican music in the Central Valley, Saira quickly connected with Sofía, and after several practices, became a member of Las Damas del Valle.  

With Las Damas del Valle, Saira alternates between playing the guitar and the bajo quinto during performances. While the guitar lends itself to a lighter, more cheerful tone, the bajo quinto brings an old-school norteño sound that resonates with the group's traditional identity.  

Having gone viral, social media has been both a challenge and a significant platform for the group’s growth. Family support has been crucial to Saira’s musical journey. As the first daughter in her family to play an instrument, Saira feels a special sense of pride and responsibility in carrying forward these traditions.

To Saira, music is more than entertainment—it is a link to her parents' memories, her cultural roots, and the broader Mexican-American experience in the Central Valley.