Selena Quintanilla

Hi there! My name is Selena. I was born on April 16th, 1971, in a place called Texas. Ever since I was a little girl, my favorite thing to do was sing. I would sing everywhere! I loved making up songs and pretending I was on a big stage with bright, sparkly lights. Music made my heart feel happy, like a little bird taking flight.

When I was about nine years old, in 1980, my dad had a wonderful idea. He said, 'Let's start a band!' And we did! My big brother, A.B., played the bass guitar, and my big sister, Suzette, learned to play the drums. I was the singer, of course! We called our band 'Selena y Los Dinos,' which means Selena and the Guys. We practiced all the time and started playing music for people at parties and festivals. It was so much fun to sing and dance with my family.

As I got older, I loved performing more and more. I even started designing my own outfits for the stage. I loved anything that sparkled and shined! My music was a mix of American and Mexican sounds called Tejano music. It had a beat that made everyone want to get up and dance. Singing songs like 'Bidi Bidi Bom Bom' and 'Como la Flor' brought so much joy to me and to everyone who listened.

I lived to be 23 years old, and my time singing on stage came to an end sooner than anyone expected. But my music never stopped! People all over the world still listen to my songs, dance to my music, and remember my big smile. I hope my story shows you that with family, love, and a happy heart, you can make your dreams come true.