Typhanie Monique's fans know how versatile she is. The jazz vocalist's recordings have included forays into funk, soul and even house music. What they might not know is that she also loves to teach. She just completed her master's degree at Northeastern Illinois University, whose vocal pedagogy program has had a marked effect on her singing.
"It enhanced me as an artist, vocally, because I was using my voice in a different way," says Monique, who performs at the Isthmus Jazz Fest on Friday, June 21, at 8 p.m. "Just as cross-training is important for athletes in terms of muscular development and growth, it's essential as a singer to take yourself out of your normal repertoire and enhance your register and range."
The degree focused heavily on classical compositions, but Monique isn't ditching jazz for another genre.
"I promise all my fans that I will not sound like an opera singer," Monique says, laughing.
Monique writes her own songs and covers everything from Rodgers and Hart standards to Stone Temple Pilots rockers. Her set at Isthmus Jazz Fest should be eclectic as well. Expect to hear some jazz arrangements of classical songs.
"One of them is Gabriel Faure's 'Ici bas,' which I will be singing in French," Monique says. "And I'll be doing an aria by Menotti from the opera The Medium, called 'The Black Swan.'"
This will be Monique's first gig at the fest in three years. Born in Stevens Point, she's always excited about coming back to Wisconsin.
"I appreciate going back and performing in Madison," Monique says. "It allows my friends and family to check me out."