Biography
Monique Roberts Perkins was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and took an interest in music at a very early age. She graduated from Temple University in 2001 with a Bachelors Degree in English and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Education at Lock Haven University. She has taught both music and academics in the Philadelphia School System for 12 years. She has written and received grants to enhance the Musical Curriculum of some Charter and Private Schools in Philadelphia.
Monique began singing in Lamott A.M.E. Church’s Gospel Choir at the age of three. She started playing the violin when she was six years old. As time progressed her love for music led her to play other instruments such as viola, cello, upright bass, bass guitar, piano and recently trumpet. She attended many institutions that specialized in theatre and music throughout the years such as Cultural Arts Now, Settlement Music School, Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Advanced Academic Music Program and Temple University. During her schooling she participated in District, All City and All State Orchestras. She has toured with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra to Spain, Jordan, Israel, France and Holland.
Currently Monique is a composer and has appeared on several recordings. She performs with The Lower Merion Symphony Orchestra, Independence Symphony and The William Douglas Orchestra located in Philadelphia, PA. She has been a faithful musician at Lamott A.M.E. Church throughout her musical career, which has led her to minister through music at several churches throughout the United States. Her music ministry is inspired by her strong faith and Psalms 150:1-6.
Monique currently resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as of December 2009. She is also the Conductor of Triumphant Glory Orchestra and is the State of South Carolina Young Women’s Educational Association’s Violinist. She has recently appeared at the Theatre of the Republic as an abolitionist in the “Civil War” musical. She also appeared in “Holiday On Main Street” from 2009 – 2011 where she sang in many group ensembles and was featured in a duet. She also performed in the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin” and is a soloist for “The Lady’s Take the Stage” production. She is a member at Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she plays electric violin. Monique Perkins also gives lessons on various string instruments at Andy Owings’ School of Music, Calvary Christian School, Chabad School and Palmetto Kids Music Program.
Awards
Philadelphia Gospel Hall of Fame, 2023
Best Musician, Black Excellence Grand Strand, 2021
