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Artist Biography
By request from fellow parents and the director at their young son’s toddler center, and with a modest 4-track recording deck in the laundry room, a family business was launched with a collection of 30 songs and rhymes for the very young. And that became the subtitle for Lisa Monet’s Circle Time. An instant hit with families at the center, Circle Time quickly got picked up and spread far and wide by a distributor, and then went on to win a national Gold Award from Parents’ Choice Foundation.
With a style that reflects an extensive performance career: classical, folk, rock, and Latin ensembles, from university halls in Spain to the Troubadour in Los Angeles, Lisa Monet has shared billing with Norton Buffalo, Ella Jenkins, James Cotton, Michael Franti, Alice Di Micele, Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings and many others. A native Californian and a multi-credentialed teacher, she first studied classical guitar as a child in Argentina, and has lived, studied and performed in Argentina, Spain, Mexico and the Pacific Northwest.
Now with three national Parents' Choice awards, Lisa Monet is best known for celebrating familiar experiences and diverse cultures in her performances and recordings for children and adults of all ages. “As soon as I discovered the joy of singing with my own two children I was hooked. Before I knew it, it had turned into a career and I was whole-heartedly committed. There was a brief time when I thought I was done---our kids were in middle and high school---but I was wrong. It’s what I most love doing: building community through the joy of music, language and diversity.”
Circle Time and all the albums that have followed it were recorded by Monet’s husband and fellow artist, Rick St. Charles. As co-producer, St. Charles is involved in every aspect of the business, from playing many of the instruments to graphic design and overseeing the replication process. Having started with their first child, and further inspired by his sister and their classmates and friends, Circle Sound Productions is very much a family music business. Son Matthew, a feature film director/editor, is the technical consultant, and daughter Genevieve, an Arcata Arts Institute graduate, is the graphic artist of the covers and inserts to Tingaleyo and My Best Friend.
A best-selling artist on the Music for Little People label for 20 years and now with her indie label, Lisa Monet is described as “A beautiful performer…” by the founder of the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, a “Leading Lady of Children’s Music” by Billboard Magazine, and a “Treasure” by her local community. She is a coalition member for ASHA on their national “Ear Buds” campaign, a contributing writer for the “My Everyday Magic” blog, and a popular presenter at education conferences.
Several albums for adults showcase the music from her earlier work, and Monet continues to hone these styles by working with other musicians and with her guitar students.
Press
" My Best Friend Monet's third album, is instantly likeable." -BILLBOARD Magazine
Among the top-rated "sound resources recommended for nurturing your child's language development" are Lisa Monet's recordings, as listed in Nurturing your Child with Music by John M. Ortiz, PH.D., 2002, with foreword by William Glasser, M.D.
"Circle Time has become a permanent fixture in my house. With acoustic and a cappella renditions of many traditional childhood favorites, as well as some more obscure songs, Lisa Monet embodies children’s music at its finest – gentle voice, just the right amount of playfulness, and completely devoid of all things obnoxious. Most importantly, it makes my kids happy, and if they're happy, I'm happy." review from MamaSpeaks.com blog
"Her music: eclectic fun. If the best art unites 'opposites' a la yin and yang, Lisa Monet is a consummate artist. She successfully weds original and traditional songs, child and adult voices, and the silly and the serious in her music. "My training is in classical guitar and voice," says Monet. "That gives me a solid base. From there I take off into a sense of fun." -Catherine Cella, BILLBOARD Magazine
"Lisa had our children singing in several languages, signing, and dancing as well. What a joyful celebration of life! For weeks after the concert, classes sang the songs they'd learned , and kids sang and danced across the playground."
"Award-winning Humboldt children's music team scores second performance gold." Beti Trauth, The Times-Standard, Eureka, CA
"Monet has the background to pull it off --quality arrangements-- She's had classical training...and has performed in a wide range of musical groups from rock to classical. Having lived in Argentina, Spain [and Mexico], Monet speaks Spanish fluently." -Barbara Sher, NORTHCOAST VIEW Magazine
"She had every child's interest, from preschool to sixth grade. This was wonderful!" -Principal, Pine Hill School
"This is the best sound we've ever had here!" -Teacher, Pine Hill School
"She has marvelous control of the audience. This was an excellent performance." -Teacher, Morris Elementary School
"I loved what she does with the hand movements. My fifth graders were so into it and involved the whole time!" -Teacher, Morris Elementary School.
"That was so fun! My kindergartners were saying how fun it was and were all singing." -Teacher, Morris Elementary School
"With a blend of familiar and children's folkloric songs, Monet led the audience not only in English, but in Spanish. Children gathered around her listening and singing together in a beautiful and rhythmical ensemble." Rebecca A. Froehlich, Museum Programs Manager, MORRIS GRAVES MUSEUM
"This has been my daughter's favorite album..." When asked to recommend music, "I've always said 'My Best Friend' by Lisa Monet." -Seattle parent
"A great sing-along for children...and adults." ('Circle Time') -IOWA parents
"Simple, beautiful vocals." ('CT') -MARYLAND parents
"This is the only children's music we own." ('CT') -CALIFORNIA parents
"Lisa Monet has a beautiful voice and my children try to sing like her....they all love the tapes." -HEAD START
"Better still are...productions such as Lisa Monet's 'Circle Time'..." [In an article mentioning recordings from Pete Seeger, Fred Penner, and the Sesame Street and Elephant Show crews.] -Theresa Kump, PARENTS Magazine
"Monet's music is broadcast on nationally syndicated children's radio programs, including 'Pickleberry Pie', which features the program 'Lisa Monet Day'. PARENTS Magazine singled her work out as one of the finest offerings in the Music for Little People catalog." -Cheryle Easter, The TIMES STANDARD
Copyright ©2012 Circle Sound Productions |
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