Mariá Portugal has been active in both the Brazilian and European music scenes as a prolific and versatile drummer, composer, singer, and producer. After graduating in classical composition, she focused on free improvisation and began extensive research into its intersection with song traditions. This exploration led to her acclaimed album EROSÃO (2021) and the formation of her two current ensembles: the EROSÃO Septet and EROSÃO Percussion Trio.
She is also a member of the group Quartabê and has toured and recorded worldwide with a myriad of artists, spanning fields from pop to free improvisation and Brazilian popular music.
Portugal was the 13th Improviser in Residence at the Moers Festival in 2020. As a curator, she participated in Soundtrips-NRW in Duisburg and now runs the concert series Toma Chocolate! in Berlin. She also composes for dance, theater, and film, including the award-winning soundtrack for the movie 1976, which earned her the 2025 Chilean Film Academy Prize.
In 2020, Mariá lived in Moers, Germany. as the 13th Improviser in Residence of the Moers Festival.
She was the curator for the city of Duisburg for the Soundtrips-NRW, a project that seeks to promote and connect free improvisers from Nordrhein-Westphalia.
She has toured and performed with artists like Arrigo Barnabé, Elza Soares, Metá Metá, Pato Fu, Fernanda Takai, Maggie Nicols, Angelika Niescier, Fred Frith, Joe Mcphee, Nick Dunston, Anthony Braxton and Tomeka Reid.
Mariá holds a degree in Composition from UNESP (São Paulo State University) and a M.A. in Communication and Semiotics, from PUC-SP (Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo).