Alma Villegas was born in Tijuana, Mexico where she lived with her family until the age of 18. During these years, she found inspiration in the romantic ballads of such classic composers as Consuelo Velasquez and Agustin Lara. Besame Mucho and Solamente una Vez where frequently heard in all of her surroundings.

In 1986, Alma left Tijuana to attend college at San Diego State University where she earned her BA in theatre arts. At the age of 24, Alma moved to Seattle, Washington where she performed and worked for several of the local theatres including AHA! Theatre and The Group.

In 2001, Alma started her professional music career singing with one of Seattle's most popular Latin salsa bands, Cambalache followed by a year in the glorious world of the Cuban classic styles of danzon and cha cha with the 12-piece charanga band, Yerba Buena. 

These experiences prompted her to create a band that offered a more diverse selection of Latin music that would appeal to a wide variety of audiences. Latin standard focusing on the traditional bolero (ballad), classic Latin jazz selections, a variety of Cuban rhythms including salsa, son and cha cha and the sultry and seductive brazilian bossa novas.