She and her sister performed in local nightclubs, bars, and other venues in their teen years in order to achieve their start as singers.
In the musical environment of São Paulo, she sought a way to mark her presence, show her own voice and style, and, at the same time, establish and affirm her identity as an authentic "Brazilian singer".
Her trajectory was not very different from that of other artists: she sang in bars and in trios elétrico, took part in musical groups and festivals, did backing vocals, recorded her participation in other musicians' CDs, compilations, and soundtracks, before being able to produce her own records.
Abreu began her professional performances in 1986 as a backup singer for the band Gerônimo in Salvador, Brazil.
The next year, she released her self-titled album, Vania Abreu.