Monique Hellenberg Is a Lecturer in Jazz & Contemporary Voice at Nelson Mandela University.
She is an Award-Winning Singer and the Voice of the band Goldfish’s No 1 Hit, “This Is How It Goes” and was in The Voice SA 2017.
Her new single “Saw It, Wrote It, Got It” is now available on Spotify, iTunes & YouTube
This song is about stepping into the life one dreams of. Dream it, put into action & then get it.
It’s also about simply appreciating what we have around us & knowing we are all loved & supported.
A portion of the proceeds will go to Rainbow of Hope Children’s Home in Cape Town, for which she is an ambassador.
We talked last week
What is your purpose?
To inspire and uplift through music.
What does music mean to you?
Music can create vibrations that can literally change us.
My music is about…
…stepping into the life one dreams of. Dream it, put in the action and then get it!
What is your motto?
#Aunt for Life! 
Fame is about…
Being able to reach a larger audience than most have access to.
Retirement will happen when…
…from Music? Never.
I don’t do…
Playing psychological games.
I would love to co-write with…
Bruno Mars, Daniela Andrade, Daniel Caesar, Jarrad Rickette, Emma Van Heyn, Tamia, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Babyface, Mark Ronson, Laura Mvula, Tina Schouw, David Foster.
Where do you go for inspiration to create?
Usually – home. Nowadays – I’ve been co-creating music through Circle songs with my Nelson Mandela University students. Who knows what that could lead to…?
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
There are so many enjoyable aspects, so here goes, dressing glamorously, performing live, meeting and connecting with wonderful people from all over the world and sharing our stories with one another.
The song you must do during every show?
Since I am living in a small city, most of the time, I vary my repertoire and don’t repeat the same repertoire very regularly – but in the past, my go-to songs would have been: “Saving All My Love” (Whitney Houston) & “Georgia” (Ray Charles).
Any funny moments on stage?
There are so many! Shaun Johannes used to make me laugh at some of our gigs by making guiro sounds while I was singing…
My heroes are…
Tina Schouw, Daniela Andrade, Mariah Carey, Tamia, Whitney Houston, Bruno Mars, Toni Braxton, Doja Cat.
My style icon is…
Toni Braxton
Which living person do you admire most and why?
My parents – they have managed to achieve so much despite all odds, since they grew up during the Apartheid Era.
What is your most treasured possession?
My AKG40 microphone.
It’s your round; what are you drinking?
Tequila, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay OR Merlot wine
Dream gig to do?
Singing at the Grammy Awards.
What makes you stand out?
I feel I am able to display a good balance between being a natural and trained musician. As you can tell by now, I also have a silly sense of humor that often comes out during live performances.
Any nicknames?
Nique, Niquoid, Mo, Momo, Moniqua, The Monique Show…the list goes on…
If you were not a musician, what would you do?
I would lecture singing full-time…wait a minute…I’m already doing that!
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Thoughtful
Organized
Determined
Grateful
Happy
Five must have songs on your Spotify playlist please
Eyes for You (Maya Spector)
So, Into You (Tamia)
Long as I Live (Toni Braxton)
Lay with You (El De Barge & Faith Evans)
Endless Lawns (Kurt Elling)
Greatest Movie Ever Made?
The Matrix
What book are you reading?
The Story of South African Jazz: Volume 1 (Struan Douglas)
What song changed your life?
This Is How It Goes (Goldfish)
Who do you love?
My family, friends, students & my audiences.
What is your favorite Word?
Yes
Top of your bucket list?
Visit China again
Your greatest achievement?
Being hired as a Full-Time Lecturer in Jazz & Contemporary Voice at Nelson Mandela University (2023)
What do you complain about most often?
Inequality, greed & loadshedding
What is your biggest fear?
I’d prefer not to say
Happiness is…
Living life to the full.
On stage, I tend to…
Step into my diva persona.
The best life lesson you have learned?
The most important and challenging one is that, the only thing in life that is certain, is change.
What has been your favorite journey so far?
Living in China mid-2017 until the end of 2018; currently my new favorite journey is where I’m at right now.
Do you do charity work, and if you do – what do you do?
I am an ambassador for “Rainbow of Hope” Children’s Home (based in Cape Town).
Wishes and dreams?
There are so many! Most of all – I wish everyone would be kinder to one another and to our beautiful planet. Life is meant to be wonderful – and it can be so, if we could simply be more considerate of those around us, especially our Mother Earth.
YouTube links
YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU8drj1Ax-0oBkvSVbt0leA
SAW IT, WROTE IT, GOT IT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tl-U5vWsFs
Social media links
https://www.instagram.com/moniquehellenberg/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/MoniqueHellenbergMusicPage/
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