At the conference, BMI presented a certificate of recognition to Adolfo and Omar Valenzuela (also known as “The Twiins”) for their influential work as producers in the Regional Mexican genre of music. BMI also sponsored a demo critique, moderated by BMI Assistant Vice President of Latin Music Delia Orjuela and Director of Latin Writer/Publisher Relations and Media Licensing, Joey Mercado. BMI Associate Director, Latin Music, Marissa Lopez also spoke on the digital music panel, “La Revolucion Digital Para Llenar Tu Bolsillo.”

The conference celebrated the success and influence of many of BMI’s songwriters, including members of Los Buitres, members of Tierra Cali and singer/songwriter Yolanda Perez.

(from L to R) BMI’s Joey Mercado; Adolfo Valenzuela (songwriter/producer); BMI’s Delia Orjuela; Omar Valenzuela (songwriter/producer) and BMI’s Marissa Lopez.

(from L to R) Jesus Eulogio Soza Felix (Los Buitres); BMI’s Marissa Lopez; Eduardo Sanchez Reyes (Los Buitres); BMI’s Delia Orjuela; Juan Carlos Ochoa Reyes (Los Buitres); Luis Gerardo Sanchez Reyez (Los Buitres); and BMI’s Joey Mercado.

BMI’s Marissa Lopez; Yolanda Perez; and BMI’s Joey Mercado.

Homero Patron (Songwriter/Producer); BMI’s Marissa Lopez; Yvonne Gomez (Creative Director, Peermusic); BMI’s Joey Mercado; Juan Carlos Hidalgo (President, Monitor Latino); BMI’s Delia Orjuela; Omar Valenzuela (Songwriter/Producer) and Nelson Medoza (Label Manager, Fonovisa).

BMI’s Joey Mercado; Nelson Mendoza (Fonovisa), Yvonne Gomez (peermusic); Omar Valenzuela (producer/songwriter); Bruno Danzza (Songwriter); Adolfo Valenzuela (producer/songwriter); BMI’s Delia Orjuela; Salvador Homero Campos (Bustos Media). Front row: Homero Patron (Producer/Songwriter) and BMI’s Marissa Lopez.

BMI’s Marissa Lopez; Humberto Plancarte (Tierra Cali) and BMI’s Joey Mercado.

BMI’s Marissa Lopez; recording artist Gabby Villanueva; Val Valdez (Avatar Digi); Angela Sanchez (Sr. Director of Direct Marketing/Digital, Universal Music Group); Peggy Dold (former VP at Univision Records) and Javier Farfan (Latino Marketing Director, Zune).

But there’s no confusion when it comes to her talent. Now 24, Perez grew up in a musical family — her father and grandfather are performers — and got her start when she was only 11. After winning a local talent competition, she recorded an album for indie label Cintas Acuario as her prize. She made three indie albums before jumping to the majors in 2003 for Dejenme Llora. The album, which came out on Universal Music Group’s Fonovisa, reached No. 15 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart and No. 29 on the Top Latin Albums chart.

As she expanded her audience, she expanded her musical realm, taking the traditional banda music, which uses acoustic instrumentation, and wrapping in other elements. Like many banda artists, she performs original material but also has recorded banda versions of English songs such as “Blue Bayou.” She further mixes up styles by recording with others artists, such as “Estoy Enamorada,” a comical banda/rap duet with LA radio personality Don Cheto, which reached No. 7 on Billboard’s regional Mexican Airplay chart.

The two reunited for “La Reyna del Mall,” a track on her 2004 album, Aqui Me Tienes. Perez took some time off after giving birth to her daughter and returned with 2005’s Esto Es Amore, which found Perez flirting with reggaeton via first single “Como Quieras, Cuando Quieras,” a duet with Adassa.

When she was very young, Perez’s father nicknamed her “La Potranquita” (Little Filly), a very appropriate nickname, as Perez has shown that she can run with the best of them.