violin and viola
photos by: Tré
Violinist and violist, Monica Davis
praised for her “refined and attractive” playing (New York Times) has cultivated a protean performance career based in New York City. A sought-after collaborator across multiple genres, she has performed and recorded for dance, film, television, contemporary composers and recording artists.
Monica is a founding member of the string quartet, The Overlook, a “paradigm-shifting” (New York Music Daily) unifying, community-building force, whose dedication to a more representative musical tradition reverberates throughout their industry. With a deep commitment to engaging their audiences with multi-disciplinary experiences and building a repertoire highlighting the work of living composers, they have been presented in the gardens of Wave Hill, within a life size sculpture at MassMOCA, and preceded by a guided meditation at Lincoln Center. They are looking forward to producing their second annual music festival, “if the Stars Align”, in upper Manhattan in summer 2022 with support from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone.
Monica has led the string on tour with Regina Spector, toured North America with pop icon Diana Ross and performed and recorded with countless artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen and Solange, to Pearl Jam and Frank Ocean. She has appeared with multiple artists on Saturday Night Live, The Met Gala, Live from Lincoln Center, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Monica is a member of the New York Pops violin section and has performed with many of the finest ensembles in the tristate area, including the New York City Ballet, Orchestra of St Lukes, American Symphony Orchestra, Mark Morris Ensemble, The Knights, and served as a member of the violin section of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
Also a mainstay in New York’s theatrical scene, Monica has performed in over 15 broadway and off-broadway shows, recorded 10 cast albums, and has played in the orchestra for the Tony Awards since 2015. She is currently a member of the band for the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical, Hamilton on broadway.
Monica holds degrees from Columbia University (B.A. - History) and the Manhattan School of Music (M.M. - Violin Performance). She plays on a violin made in 2015 made by English violinmaker, Christopher Thorp.
Discography
