Brazilian singer Tokeli Mushovic was born in San Diego and earned her bachelor of arts degree in theater from UCSD. After serving as Managing Director for the Diversionary Theater and the La Jolla Stage Company, she turned her focus to music, releasing her debut album Where Do You Start? in 2006.

Co-produced by local jazz guru Peter Sprague, the record also features Gilbert Castellanos and was nominated Jazz Album of the Year at the 2007 San Diego Music Awards.

Tokeli (who only uses the one name professionally) also fronts Samba de Toquali, which specializes in Brazilian jazz, samba, and bossa nova, and she still maintains a part-time acting career.