Miranda was born inFortaleza in Northeast Brazil. She moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1971 and studied classical guitar with the musicianTuríbio Santos.[2] Miranda has conducted extensive research on Brazilian indigenous music, and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1986 that supported the creation of her early music.[3] In the 1990s, Miranda performed as a vocalist and guitarist with the Brazilian instrumental group Pau Brasil, whose albumBabel was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.[4] The 1991 adventure filmAt Play in the Fields of the Lord, set in theAmazon River Basin, features Miranda's contributions to the soundtrack and language creation for the fictional Niaruna tribe.[5] Her 1995 albumIhu Todos Os Sons presented music from theNambikwara,Yanomami and Jabutipeoples of Brazil arranged and performed by Miranda and featuring appearances byGilberto Gil andUakti.[6][7]
In 1998-1998, Miranda taught as a visiting professor at theUniversity of Chicago Department of Anthropology.[8] In 2003, Miranda was a Montgomery Fellow atDartmouth College and co-taught a class on indigenous music in Brazil.[9] Miranda was awarded the BrazilianOrder of Cultural Merit in 2002.[10]
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