Monique

A Journey of Music, Mentorship, and Finding Her Voice

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Music was always in my life. I think it came from the family. Like most kids, I grew up listening to the records my parents played-singing along to those same songs.

But from a very young age, I was drawn to the stage. I just loved performing.

CAN YOU RECALL YOUR EARLIEST EXPERIENCES ON STAGE?

Absolutely. I started ballet when I was around three or four years old. My ballet teacher was Aunty Deanna. My mum was in a jazz group at the time, and she used to take me along to her classes. I'd watch, fascinated, and want to do the same. That's where the desire to be on stage began-not just singing, but performing in general. I found joy in it, maybe even more than the audience did!

SO PERFORMANCE WAS IN YOUR BLOOD FROM THE START?

Very much so. My mum was a dancer, a speech and drama teacher, and a directress. She was immersed in the creative arts, and I think I inherited that passion from her. But she was also very strict-education always came first. Even though I knew by 15 or 16 that I wanted a career in performance, I had to finish my studies first.

WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU ATTEND?

Holy Family Convent.

DID YOU EVER CONSIDER OTHER CAREERS?