Biography
Drawing from a wide and eclectic variety of styles, Monique’s sound is her own. As a professional violinist and singer, she has gained a solid mastery in a wide range of styles. She has strong roots in traditional Celtic music, which she performed with her father Vic in competitions and folk festivals since the age of six.
Building on this foundation, Monique now performs and improvises in many different genres, specializing in classical, Baroque, jazz, contemporary pop, and original compositions. One of her specializations is performing Funerary Violin music; she has composed some of her own funerary pieces as well, including a partially improvised duet for violin and voice (which she performs at the same time, hence her nickname "Vocalinist.") Some of Monique's strongest musical influences come from Eastern Europe, Italy, Russia, Israel, South India, Brazil, Argentina, and Ireland.
Monique earned her BM in Performance at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, where she was a scholarship student of Dr. Kenneth Sarch. She performed as the concertmaster of the MU Symphony and also performed as violinist and vocalist with the MU Jazz Ensemble; she gave both classical and jazz recitals in Mansfield, Corning, Wellsboro, and surrounding areas. She was also a member of the Williamsport Symphony throughout her years attending MU.
Monique received a full tuition scholarship to the 2003 Henry Mancini Institute at UCLA, where she studied and/or performed with Jeremy Cohen, Lesa Terry, Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Gunther Schuller, Vince Mendoza, and Oregon. She attended the Masters in Jazz Studies program at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she was a student of world-renowned jazz violinist John Blake. She has also received extensive mentorship from Orlando Haddad, Christian Howes, Don Glandon, Ben Schachter, and Micah Jones.
Monique has had extensive vocal training in jazz, classical, and choral styles. She is a featured soprano and chorister in the Choir of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, led by organist and choirmaster Andrew Senn. Monique performs as first violinist and vocalist with the renowned Divine Hand Ensemble. Monique sings and plays piano and violin in her original band, The Mood Elevators, which includes guitar, bass, and drums. As a poet and lyricist, Monique often incorporates her words imaginatively into her songs, which can be described as an artful hybrid between jazz, classical, rock, and pop.
Monique performs and teaches music in the Philadelphia area. She has appeared in various prestigious venues such as the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, World Cafe Live, the Leocouris Center with Kanye West, the Tin Angel, Sellersville Theater, and West Chester University.
Monique is currently working on an original album project, anticipating its release in 2011. Other plans include performance tours of the East and West Coast, Russia, Canada, England, Europe, and Japan. As a performing musician with solid teaching experience in both private and classroom settings, she gives clinics, master classes, and performances wherever possible to share insights on violin, viola, piano, and vocal techniques and improvisational styles.
Monique's main instruments are violin, voice, and piano; she also plays mandolin, guitar, and cello. Other groups she appears with include Heart Like A Wheel (the Linda Ronstadt tribute band), and Neon Reign, a country/rock cover band. She currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For audio and video samples, visit the following sites: www.myspace.com/moniquecanniere or www.youtube.com/Vocalinist