We had the good fortune of connecting with Miranda Fontana and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miranda, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued an artistic and creative career because music has been an integral part of my life since early childhood. Growing up in Argentina, my home was always filled with a rich variety of music, from folklore and tangos to modern classical music, jazz, blues, and soul. This immersive musical environment ignited my passion for music at a very young age. I vividly remember learning to dance before I could walk, swaying to the tunes of Frank Sinatra and Macy Gray in my parents’ arms. My family has always been a huge part of my choice to pursue a career in music, they ahve been my biggest supporters and I wouldn’t be where i am today without them.

This early exposure to diverse musical genres laid the foundation for my deep love and appreciation for music. As I grew older, my passion evolved, and I realized that composing and creating soundtracks for film, TV, and video games was my true calling. My education at Berklee College of Music further solidified this path. It was a true honor to have received the the opportunity to study in such a magical place like Berklee. The exceptional knowledge I gained from the excellent professors and uniquely talented peers at Berklee opened countless doors for me and provided the skills necessary to excel in this field.

The ability to evoke emotions and enhance storytelling through music is incredibly fulfilling. Each project I work on, whether it’s arranging a version of a song or creating original soundtracks, allows me to blend my artistic vision with the narrative, creating a powerful auditory experience that can touch people’s souls in imaginable ways. This creative process is both my passion and my profession and it’s what drives me to continue pursuing an artistic career. Mainly because of how it makes other people feel, and I enjoy bringing auditory and emotional experiences to world, making people feel.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think that what sets me apart from others is my deep-rooted connection to a rich and diverse musical heritage as well as to a connection to nature and emotion, coupled with my relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of music composition and sound editing. Coming from Argentina, I think it gives me a unique perspective and a blend of musical influences that enrich my work. I am also an extremely sensitive human being haha who can express so much more through music than spoken words, so I constantly try to use that to make my work sound unique and more personal. I am most proud of having the opportunity to have worked for such incredible companies like Warner Brothers as well as working with my friends and peers that I have met at Berklee College of music. I have had the enormous honor of assisting my peers’ recording sessions where I have learnt so much from them and their workflow. They are not only extremely talented but they are also extremely kind hearted people and that’s what I tend to look for the most especially when working on big high-profile projects or under tight deadlines. Being surrounded by good people is a must. Each project is a testament to my dedication and passion for creating powerful auditory experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide, and for collaborating with other talented artists along the way.

My journey to where I am today hasn’t been easy, it has been a beautiful and chaotic rollercoaster, but I am glad that it was that way. I wouldn’t have grown as an artist and human being without having experienced it all from stress to success. Moving from Argentina to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music was a significant leap of faith. I faced numerous challenges, from adapting to a new culture and language to navigating the competitive landscape of the music and film industries. However, these challenges only made me stronger and more determined. The education I received at Berklee was transformative and I can’t say this enough but the people I have met along the way have helped me so so much. The exceptional professors and talented peers provided a supportive and inspiring environment that fueled my growth. I overcame challenges by staying true to my passion, continuously honing my craft, and embracing every opportunity to learn and improve. Always trying to remember why I started making music in the first place and the journey that I have travelled to this day. Each setback was a lesson in resilience, and every success was a step closer to my dreams.

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and staying true to one’s vision. I’ve realized that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and that passion and hard work are the keys to overcoming obstacles. Collaboration and networking are also crucial; the connections I made at Berklee and in the industry have been invaluable. Most importantly, I’ve learned to trust in my unique voice and perspective, knowing that my background and experiences are strengths that set me apart. It is hard to trust in oneself especially in the arts and music industries, since there are so many other talented people. But there is no one really quite like you in this world, each one of us has something that makes us different and I think nurturing and focusing on expressing those differences is the key to getting where you want to be.

I am constantly aiming to inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter the obstacles, and to believe in the power of their unique voices. This may sound cliche but my journey is proof that with dedication, hard work, and a bit of courage, anything is possible. I am 100% that what sets most of us artists back is our lack of confidence in ourselves, not even in our work. There is a quote from the book “The creative Act” by Rick Rubin that stuck with me related to this: “Doubting yourself can lead to a sense of hopelessness, of not being inherently fit to take on the task at hand. All or nothing thinking is a nonstarter. However, doubting the quality of your work might, at times, help to improve it. You can doubt your way to excellence.” And I think that’s all it is.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am currently living in Boston MA, which is such a beautiful city. When friends or family come to visit i usually take them to the Boston Public Garden, which is one of the most beautiful parks I have visited. I also like taking them to museums. I love museums and I tend to go to look for inspiration for my music. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts are probably two of my favorite places in the city.

As for restaurants and hangout places I love Cambridge area, Seaport and Brookline. They are very different places but they each have tons of amazing restaurants and bars. And during the summer there are a lot of live music events which is always fun to experience.

I enjoy green spaces and being close to the water so I think that Brookline and Seaport are both worth checking out because you get the fun nightlife and the beautiful nature during the day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my family, both my parents, Jorgelina and Gonzalo, and my brother Francisco, who have supported me unconditionally throughout all of these years. I would also like to dedicate it to my friends who I have met along the way, from when I was 6 years old until now. I will never take them for granted because love and support are two of the most powerful forces and I am grateful to have received them from all of them. They have motivated me and encouraged me to keep going even when there were times in which I thought of stopping. My family and my friends are everything to me and without them i wouldn’t be where I am today. Gracias infinitas!

Website: https://mirandafontana.wixsite.com/mysite/projects

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miranda.fontana/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miranda-fontana-99737a1a2/

Image Credits
Personal Photo taken by: Luiza Girardello

Additional Photos taken by: First 2 photos (sitting at the piano) taken by Faolán Twomey. The photos where I am conducting the orchestra (one in b&w and the other one in color) where probably taken by one of my Berklee professors or a peer, and the rest where taken by Luiza Girardello.

If you have any questions please let me know! 🙂

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.