I was born and raised in Miami, FL.  I attended a private school called Rodriguez Villarreal Private School (RV) in Hialeah. I LOVED IT!!! It was there that I learned Baton Twirling, Gymnastics, Pilates, Volleyball, Kickball, Softball, Parades and so much more… (but don’t expect me to do any of it now… lol)… They had it all and I Loved it!!! The first year that they introduced gymnastics, I was awarded “gymnast of the year”… this school brought out a side of me that I cannot live without… Being an Entertainer!!!

In 1983 a group of girls from RV put together a group called “Las Chiquillas” for a talent show and they asked me to join them. I accepted and I was delighted. “Las Chiquilla’s” lip synced to “Menudo” songs. That’s how it started. But before long, we were putting our own voices and making our own music. For me, “Las Chiquilla’s” shortly turned into “The Mystic Angels.”  Our credits include TV, Concerts, Radio, Club and Charity events such as “Calle Ocho” and “La Liga Contra El Cancer.” In two occasions we were the opening act for “Menudo.” At the age of 16, I decided to take a break from “The Mystic Angels” so the group broke up… BUT it wasn’t before long that I had another great break. I auditioned for a Spanish Musical called “Viva Sevilla y Ole” at Teatro Marti’ starring Manolo Codesco and Milagros Ponti and I landed the part of “La Chica Del Dies y Ciete” it was a 6 month commitment… and it was AMAZING!!! At this point I was entering my Jr. Year at Hialeah Miami Lakes Sr. High (HML)… I had attended John Casablanca’s, NY, California, Beauty Pageants and soo much more… I joined Danceline my junior year and was honored into the Thespian Society in 1990. I also won a recording contract with Lewis Martinee of Pantera Productions, the manager of Expose...  that never went far… but at least I won!!! :)

Anyway, My dad died my Sr. year in High School… the idea of leaving Miami was never an option nor a passion for me so I auditioned for a Theatre Scholarship at Miami Dade Community College and I was awarded. It was at MDCC that I performed in “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Crimes of The Heart.”

So skip, skip, skip… Here I am today, The BIGGEST accomplishment I have in my LIFE is my FAMILY. I have a wonderful husband and partner; Eric Castro and two beautiful daughters; Rhys & Taylor Castro… … and so here I find myself believing with all my heart that I can pick up right where I left off 20 years ago in my acting career and conquer this realm too… SO, this is where my new journey begins. Please join me…. Barbie