She is currently researching mariachi music performed outside Mexico and the United States. Dr. Vallejo has worked as an applied ethnomusicologist, co-producing, annotating, and providing photography for Smithsonian Folkways’ 2013 release ¡Así Kotama!: The Flutes of Otavalo, Ecuador. In addition to her research and teaching, she is an active freelance violinist in the Los Angeles area.