Monica was born on February 11, 1976. At the age of 9 she began playing the violin and studying classical music. Her classical music studies continued for nine consecutive years in the Albuquerque Public School system and through 4 years of private instruction, including pedagogy and theory, under the direction of Susan Kempter. By the time she was in middle school, Monica was accepted into the Albuquerque Junior Symphony. Advancing even further during her high school years, she held the position of Concert Master (principal 1st violinist) and proudly led the violin section for four consecutive years. Because of her status in the school orchestra, she was also accepted into the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, with which she performed on concert tours in both Canada and central Mexico, and passed auditions into the All State Symphonic Orchestra all four years. Monica was first introduced to mariachi music at the age of 18 by Miguel Santiago, who had invited her to join Mariachi Los Caporales. She immediately fell in love with the music and was determined to learn more about the style and technique. Soon after, she found herself performing with other Albuquerque-based mariachi groups, including: Mariachi Nuevo Tapatio, Mariachi Nuevo Mexico, Mariachi Nuevo Sonido and Mariachi Tepeyac. Her goal was to eventually become a member of New Mexico's premiere mariachi group, Mariachi Tenampa, which would soon become a reality. In March of 2004, she was invited to join Mariachi Tenampa as a second violinist, and has been a permanent member since. Monica was no stranger to the members of Mariachi Tenampa, as she had previously participated in their rehearsals, various recording projects and concert performances as a temporary member. She has participated in the recordings of Sparx, Lorenzo Antonio and Darren Cordova, as well as those of other regional artists. She has also earned the title as being the very first permanent female member to be accepted into Mariachi Tenampa. Monica strongly believes in passing down the mariachi tradition by instructing music workshop classes for several mariachi conferences, including the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Mariachi Spectacular, Midland Mariachi Conference, Alamosa Mariachi Conference, Pueblo Mariachi Conference, Santa Fe Fiesta Council Youth Mariachi Conference and the St. Pius High School Mariachi Conference. Throughout the past 11 years playing mariachi music, Monica has shared the stage in concert with some of the world's best mariachi groups and high profile artists as Aida Cuevas, Angeles Ochoa, Antonio Aguilar Jr., Nydia Rojas, Linda Rondstadt, Pablo Montero, Yesenia Flores, Rick Trevino, Sparx and Lorenzo Antonio.