Drawing from a wide and eclectic variety of styles, Monique’s sound is her own. As a classically trained violinist, she has gained a solid mastery of her instrument. She has strong roots in Celtic and Bluegrass fiddling styles, which she performed with her father Vic in competitions and folk festivals since the age of six.

Building on this foundation, Monique now plays many different genres. Most recently she plays American and Brazilian jazz, folk, Celtic, and classical. Her love of playing has inspired her to explore music from Eastern Europe and South India. Elements of these styles have strongly influenced many of her compositions and improvisations.

Monique earned her BM in Violin 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 played violin 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 also had extensive vocal training in jazz, classical, and choral styles. She is equally comfortable on voice and violin in live and studio performances. As a poet and lyricist, Monique often incorporates her words imaginatively into her songs, which can be described as an artful hybrid between jazz, folk, 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, and the Tin Angel.

Monique’s future plans include traveling to other countries (specifically Ireland, Bulgaria, France, Belgium, and Brazil) to gain insight on their cultures and musical traditions. As a performing musician with solid teaching experience in both private and classroom settings, she gives clinics, master classes, and performances wherever possible to promote the violin’s role in jazz, vocal techniques, and other improvisational styles.

Monique also plays viola, mandolin, and piano. She currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information and audio, visit the following sites: www.myspace.com/bigfaith or www.gigmasters.com/jazz/BigFaithStringDuo