Paulina “Pau” Villarreal Vélez, born on February 5, 2002, in Monterrey, Mexico, is a dynamic musician renowned for her role as the drummer, vocalist, and primary songwriter for the rock band The Warning.
From an early age, Paulina displayed a natural affinity for music, beginning classical piano lessons at age four and transitioning to drums by age seven after showcasing remarkable coordination playing the video game Rock Band.
Her passion for rock music, influenced by her parents and icons like Neil Peart, shaped her distinctive drumming style.
Beyond drumming, she sings lead vocals on select tracks, plays piano, and manages the band’s live show visuals and instrumentation using advanced technology.
Siblings
Paulina is the middle child of three sisters who together form The Warning, a power trio that has captivated rock audiences worldwide.
Her older sister, Daniela “Dany” Villarreal Vélez, born January 30, 2000, is the band’s lead guitarist, primary vocalist, and co-songwriter.
Daniela’s fiery guitar riffs and commanding stage presence anchor the band’s sound, and she often shares lead vocal duties with Paulina.
The youngest sister, Alejandra “Ale” Villarreal Vélez, born December 13, 2004, plays bass guitar, provides backing vocals, and occasionally takes on piano duties.
Alejandra’s steady basslines and harmonic support complement the band’s intense performances, though she prefers not to sing lead despite her capability.
Raised in Monterrey, the Villarreal sisters were immersed in music from childhood, all receiving classical piano training before gravitating toward rock instruments.
Also Read: Laila Morse Siblings: Meet Gary and Jackie Oldman
Career
Paulina’s career took off with the formation of The Warning in 2013, alongside her sisters.
The band gained international attention in 2014 when their YouTube cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” went viral, amassing over 26 million views and earning praise from Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, who lauded Paulina’s drumming as “kicking maximum ass.”
This exposure led to an appearance on The Ellen Show in 2015, where the sisters received a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music’s five-week program, despite being younger than the typical entry age.
Paulina began writing original music early, contributing to the band’s 2015 EP Escape the Mind and subsequent albums, including their 2024 release Keep Me Fed.
Beyond drumming, she has taken on lead vocals for songs like “Narcisista” and “Consume,” occasionally stepping out from behind the drum kit to front the band.
Paulina’s technical setup, including DW Performance Series drums, Sabian HHX cymbals, and a laptop running Ableton Live for live show control, reflects her innovative approach.
The Warning’s tours, including sold-out shows at Mexico’s Auditorio Nacional in 2025 and performances with bands like Dead Poet Society, showcase Paulina’s multifaceted talent. tours, including sold-out shows at Mexico’s Auditorio Nacional in 2025 and performances with bands like Dead Poet Society, showcase Paulina’s multifaceted talent.
Her 2022 masterclass in Mexico City and TEDx Talks in 2016 and 2017 further highlight her role as a music educator and influencer.
Accolades
In 2023, Villarreal was voted number one in Modern Drummer’s “Up and Coming” category by readers, reflecting her rising prominence.
In February 2024, she won Drumeo’s Rock Drummer of the Year award, surpassing established drummers and cementing her status as a prodigy.
That same year, she received the Decididas Global Award Paulina “Pau” Villarreal Vélez (born 5 February 2002) is a Mexican musician who is the drummer and the main songwriter of the rock band The Warning.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
