B I O G R A P H Y
						Trained in both piano and voice from a young age, Mona Jethmalani has established herself as an exceptionally versatile musician. Her talents have allowed her to perform at many of the premier local and regional venues as well as festivals, on television, and out of state. Mona earned her undergraduate degree from Benedictine University and her
graduate degree from VanderCook College of Music both in Music Education. She has performed as a vocalist all throughout her schooling and received numerous awards. In 2002, she was a winner at the regional National Association of Teachers of Singing Vocal Competition with a winning final performance at Northern Illinois University. In 2003, Mona and her brother Anish (a professional actor and artistic director of Chicago's Eclipse and Rasaka Theatre) were recipients of the Excellence in Arts Award from Chitrahar television (a network for the Midwest South Asian community). In addition, Mona was a candidate for the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of A.R. Rahman's Bombay Dreams on Broadway. Mona has also been featured in various print media including Chicago Tribune, India Tribune, and Sahaara magazine. With years of live and studio experience, Mona takes pride in her strong understanding of different genres and vocal techniques. She is noted for her adaptable voice in styles such as pop, soul/r&b, eastern improvisation, jazz, musical theatre, and western classical. Mona has performed in a wide range of settings including an East Indian influenced electronica group, jazz ensembles, cover/original bands, studio work for various artists, commercials and voice-over work, operas and musicals, choral works and recitals as a classical soloist. She was a member of Elgin's premier chamber choral ensemble Heartland Voices for four years. She has appeared frequently with the DuPage Opera Theatre and currently sings with the New Classic Singers of Glen Ellyn, IL. In addition to performing, Mona is also a choral director and teaches private voice instruction to students of all ages. She remains an avid songwriter/composer and is currently working on several songwriting projects. Her professional affiliations include National Association of Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, and National Association of Teachers of Singing.