Maria do Céu Whitaker Poças was born into a musical family. Her musically versed father-a composer, arranger and musicologist-introduced her to the works of Brazilian greats Heitor Villa-Lobos and Orlando Silva. At 15, CéU chose to fully embrace her artistic calling. She studied music theory and took up the violão, a typical nylon-stringed instrument from Brazil. After expanding her musical horizons in New York City, the songstress eventually returned to her native country to record her first eponymous album. The 2005 release featured a mix of Brazilian popular music, samba, reggae and electronica and became a worldwide hit. Vagarosa came out in 2009, followed by Caravan sereia bloom three years later.