Ms. McDonald now combines her 20 years experience in High Profile Performance with Top Shelf Coaching Strategies, creating a fertile training ground to unleash a new generation of charismatic communicators.
She has had the pleasure to perform with esteemed colleagues including Ruggero Raimondi, Marilyn Horne, Marvin Hamlisch, Billy Porter and Kristin Chenowith.
One of her favorite credits is singing a command performance for the Prince of Monaco and the King of Belgium. Please be sure to ask her why.
“Monique McDonald...produced a powerful, warm-hued sound that melted easily into subtlety and gentleness when that was required, as in Mr. Rorem's beautiful ‘What if Some Little Pain,’...But was at her best in the most passionate music...”
Ms. McDonald's performance of ‘At the River,’ was electrifying”
— The New York Times
From Opera to Broadway
Monique McDonald and Mikhail Svetlov perform “From Opera to Broadway” together.
SPOTLIGHT
“I was introduced to Monique by a mutual friend and my life hasn't been the same since. I'm a consultant, trainer and educator who spends most of my work time talking and using my voice. My initial intention of working with Monique was to learn to care for my voice and enhance it's agility and endurance in my work.
That's the least of what I've gained through Monique's divine coaching and guidance. Not only have I learned breathing and vocal techniques that have had a significant impact on the health and dynamism of my voice, but I've claimed my power as a woman, professional speaker and entrepreneur to great effect.
My students have applauded the power of my voice in their course evaluations. My consulting clients have given feedback about how "authentically persuasive and confident" I come across while doing my work. I have booked new training gigs with audience members and consulting work through direct referrals.
Our work together has been so transformative for me and my business that I booked another year's worth of coaching with her and am fairly certain I will renew again after this year. It's difficult for me to articulate the magnitude of the gift Monique has given me, but it is well worth the investment.”
Dawn E. Shedrick, LCSW
CEO of JenTex Training & Consulting
Lecturer at Columbia University School of Social Work
After receiving high praise for her debut performance in the title role of Tosca with Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Italy, McDonald began her foray into the Verdi heronies, such as Aida, Leonora in Il Trovatore, Elisabetta in Don Carlo, and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. She made her New York City Opera debut in the role of Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni and Seattle Opera debut in the title role of Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos.
Ms. McDonald can be heard as the soprano soloist in the Grammy-nominated recording of Ned Rorem's Evidence of Things Not Seen, recorded live at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and in the role of Serena in DECCA's Grammy-nominated recording of Porgy & Bess.
On the concert platform, McDonald has appeared as soloist at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, New York Festival of Song, The Marilyn Horne Foundation, Caramoor Music Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Santander and Verrano en La Villa Festivals-Spain, Italian Embassy in Paris (Italian and American Ambassadors in attendance), and commanded solo performances for the Prince of Monaco and the King of Belgium. Works performed include Verdi Requiem, Dvorak Requiem, Dvorak Stabat Mater, Brahms Requiem, Mozart Requiem, Mozart’s C Minor Mass, and Exultate Jubilate with conductors that include Maestros Anton Guadagno, Pier Giorgio Morandi, Paolo Arrivabeni, Christopher Hogwood, Lorenzo Muti, John Mauceri, Gerard Schwarz, and Skitch Henderson.
A native New Yorker, Ms. McDonald has been a life-long student of her mother, Betti McDonald. In addition to being accepted into The Juilliard Opera Center, other honors include the Sullivan Foundation Award, the first Leonie Rysanek Award in the George London Competition, first prize winner of the Palm Beach Opera Competition, and first prize winner in the Eleanor McCollum Competition at Houston Grand Opera.
Ms. McDonald has sung in opera houses all over the world including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Japan. She now resides in NYC and in addition to performance, is sharing her talents with the next generation of young artists, public speakers, ministers, and visionaries through private sessions and masterclasses.