Erika Miranda, Principal Second (Sacramento Opera) trained in the USA (San Francisco Conservatory of Music and St. Louis Conservatory of Music) U.K. (Anglo-American Chamber Music for Strings in England), Canada (Johanessen International School for the Arts) and France (European Community Baroque Orchestra). She lived and worked in England for many years taking additional training with Kato Havas in Oxford. For seven years, Erika was Principal Second for the English Festival Opera in London as well as playing for orchestras such as the London Schubert Players, London Appollo Orchestra and the City of Oxford Orchestra, touring and recording with these ensembles. While living in Oxford she became a Founder/Director of her own chamber ensemble and established two highly sucessful concert series in collaboration with (and sponsored by) the Oxford City Council and local buisinesses. Ms. Miranda has also adjudicated for concertmaster auditions at Oxford University.

Ten years ago she returned to the US where she has been on the faculty and directed programs for the musically eminent Crowden School in Berkeley, California and has developed a highly respected violin studio with many prize-winning students. She has also acted as Interim Director for the Sacramento Youth Symphony Chamber Music Program in 2002 and served for three years as Head of Strings for the Berkeley Youth Orchestra co-directing and implementing their chamber music program. She is the founding Director of Youth Music International bringing together highly-gifted young musicians from different countries with an international faculty for a unique chamber music experience. YMI launched The First International Youth Music Festival in San Francisco in 2006 and then in Oxford, England in 2007 (in collaboration with SF State University's School of Music and Dance). The festival brings together extraordinary talent including masterclasses with internationally renowned Guest Artists (The Alexander Quartet, Laura Samuel - Belcea Quartet and solo cellist Guy Johnston), and culminates with diverse and unforgettable performances in the most historic landmarks in San Francisco and Oxford: Grace Cathedral, Mission Dolores and St. Mary's Cathedral (SF) and Christ Church Cathedral, University Church and Wesley Memorial Church (Oxford). Erika has also been Principle for the Sacramento Opera and Sacramento Choral Society for the last eight years and also continues to play with San Francisco Bay Area orchestras and chamber music ensembles.