A Passion for Expression
Family Ties
Monica Norcia was born in Rome,
Italy, into a family of opera singers and actors. In fact,
her mother sang professionally to support her family during
World War II. These
days, while
Monica teaches and performs in Northern California, her
two sisters grace New York City's stages.
Monica's musical life began with studying cello with
Aaron Shapinsky
of the New York City Ballet and
at Hartt
College of Music. She then veered toward other
creative interests and received an Associate’s
Degree in Business Administration at Nassau
Community College in New York, followed by a
bachelor’s
degree in journalism from New York
University.
Westward Ho!
After heading to California,
Monica worked her way up from administrative assistant
at the S.F. Examiner to copy editor positions at the
Modesto Bee and
Oakland
Tribune before the call to return to music was heard
loud and clear.
Monica completed a second bachelor’s—this
time in vocal performance—at California
State University-Hayward.
She began teaching voice;
and, after a 3-year intensive course of study, received
her certification to teach The
Alexander Technique from
The Alexander Technique Institute in
San Francisco.
More Music
An
active performer and
top-notch musician,
she teaches The
Alexander Technique and voice at Holy
Names Preparatory College in Oakland
and in her home studio in San Rafael, where she
lives with
her husband Bernie Kepke, a high-end audio/video
designer. Monica continues her classical vocal studies
with Karen
Anderson of Martinez and hones her piano
skills with jazz wiz Michael
Smolens of
Berkeley.
You may also read Monica's resumé.
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