Monalisa Young
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About Monalisa Young

Since the tender age of 16, Monalisa Young has been a professional in the mainstream of the Music Industry. Following closely in the footsteps of her Mother “Cathryn Ballinger” who is chronicled in the “Durbeck Archives” under the title as one of the “First Black Classically Trained Opera Singers” along with Opera Divas “Leontynne Price, Kathleen Battle and the great Marion Anderson”.

As a very young child, Monalisa would be at her Mother’s side as she trained with some of the best vocal coaches of the Opera field in Los Angeles, California. Unknowingly Monalisa was absorbing all of these teachings and would later use them as tools of her own.

Diversity has always been a quality in this “Four Generation” family of singers, from the Quartet of Monalisa’s Grandfather, to the now duo of Monalisa and daughter Charity.

With Monalisa’s mother being first a Gospel singer at the “Tabernacle Of Faith” in South Central Los Angeles, made it easy for her mother to re-visit her Gospel roots where she would later in her career form a contemporary Gospel group called “The Summit” of which Monalisa was a member.
 
The group would sing original inspirational songs with intricate harmonies and contemporary flair written by songwriter/pianist “Tony Williams” of which they also recorded.  Although the group’s concerts would mostly be promoted from Church to Church, their angelic voices charmed their audiences throughout the city of Los Angeles.
 
The group was short lived, but was only the beginning for Monalisa, a training ground that would only enhance her natural abilities for music.

As her Mother would soon sign with Beegee Records to record a Contemporary Gospel album of her own entitled “No Longer Strangers” with producer and CEO “Byron Spears” and the talented arranger “Paul Johnson” Monalisa stayed close in her shadow.

Monalisa was so intrigued by the extraordinary vocals of the Singers who performed on her Mothers album. These singers were known as the premiere singers of the Industry and were a heavy influence as well to Monalisa and helped to convince her that this is what she wanted to do.

Monalisa’s Mother then carried her request not really realizing that she would be so instrumental and key in her daughter’s career. It just so happens that with Monalisa’s Mother being a good acquaintance of one of the singer’s Mother (Singer, Venetta Fields) she would carry the word to Venetta’s Mother not really knowing the out come.

Venetta readily opened a further door and gave Monalisa a chance to audition for the singer/songwriter “Paul Williams”. Her audition would be conducted through Venetta’s singing partner “Clydie King” who was totally impressed with Monalisa, especially with one of the requirements that called for an operatic solo on one of Paul’s songs entitled “Old Souls” a very important and sensitive song he wrote about his Parents. This was a very easy task for Monalisa considering her rich background with Opera.

After Monalisa’s Audition, Clydie hired her on the spot and the rest is now history as Monalisa would
go on to record and tour with many of the greatest artist in the history of music such as Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker and Neil Diamond to name a few, as well as accomplish charted recordings of her own (solo as well as groups.)

Singing on Gold and Platinum Recordings. Monalisa also accomplished the Clio Award for her performance of the world famous “British Airways Commercial” with the well known classic from Lakme’ “The Flower Duet” singing both vocals of which she also re-recorded for Yanni’s Grammy nominated album “Dare To Dream”. This exotic recording in its re-arrangement would then be known as “Aria”. With Monalisa’s vocals and Malcom McLaren’s concept of this Commercial has helped resurrect the original piece world- wide. Monalisa’s vocals of this gorgeous piece was played in forty-four Countries and also used for the French Elections.

Monalisa Young
Performing with Bob Dylan
As a member of The World Class Wreckin’ Cru (with Dr. Dre)
Publicity Photo of Monalisa Young
Artists Mona Has Recorded With
  • Bob Dylan
  • Ray Charles
  • Joe Cocker
  • Barbara Streisand
  • Neil Diamond
  • Chicago
  • Don Henley
  • Bruce Springsteen
  • Billy Joel
  • Whitney Houston
  • Barry White
  • Paula Abdul
  • Sir Elton John
  • Marvin Gaye
  • Michael McDonald
  • Tom Scott
  • Sheena Easton
  • Malcom McLaren
  • Dave Stewart
  • Belinda Carlisle
  • The Music of the Doors
  • The Fifth Dimension
  • Brian Wilson & Van Dyke Parks
  • Aaron Neville
  • Nancy Wilson
  • Thelma Houston
  • Leonard Cohen
  • Adam Cohen
  • Englebert Humperdink
  • Tom Scott
  • Randy Crawford
  • Rockwell
  • Jermaine Jackson
  • Reebie Jackson
  • Randy Jackson
  • Latoya Jackson
  • Young M.C.
  • Brandy
  • Barry Manilow
  • Roberta Flack
  • Peaboe Bryson
  • Baby Face
  • Kylie Minogue
  • David Benoit
  • Michael Bolton
  • Tom Jones
  • Bebe & CeCe Winans
  • Bananarama
  • Usual Suspects
  • Bill Champlin
  • Bill Medley
  • Jennifer Holiday
  • Little Anthony
  • Deborah Laws
  • Marcia Hines (of Australia)
  • Ray Parker Jr.
  • Jeffrey Osborne
  • Solomon Burke
  • Joe Walsh
  • Paul Williams
  • Johnny Mathis
  • Susanne Sommers
  • Jose Feliciano
  • Andy Williams
  • Go West
  • Dr. Dre
  • David Foster
  • Debbie Allen
  • Laura Branigan
  • Bonnie Tyler
  • Tracie Spencer
  • Lou Rawls
  • Junior Walker
  • Joey Lawrence
  • Jaam Brothers
  • The Fowler Brothers
  • John Tesh
  • Paul Jackson Jr.
  • Martika
  • Peter Allen
  • Benny Mardones
  • Harry Nilsson
  • Michael Paulo
  • Lee Oscar (of the group “War”)
  • Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi
  • Brenda K. Starr
  • Merry Clayton
  • Peggi Blu
  • Joely Fisher
  • Connie Stevens
  • Sherrick
  • Colonel Abrams
  • Hanne Boel – (of Denmark)
  • Paul Anka
  • Tevin Campbell
  • Kaci
  • Chynna Phillips
  • Donny Gerrard,
  • Doug Mac Leod
  • Holly Robinson
  • Toots & the Maytals
  • Ricky Martin and Perry Farrell
  • Yanni
  • The World Class Wreckin’ Cru’
  • Willie Hutch and Richard Dimples Fields
  • And Bobby Jimmy and the Critters
  • Sonya Jackson
  • Manolo Tena
  • Holly Cole
  • Ebony Tay
  • Pimpinela
  • Angela Cole
  • Katie Cassidy
  • Vikki Watson
  • Julie Brown
  • Bianca
  • Emanuel Ortega
  • Dan Siegel
  • Lisa Hartman
  • Ralph Fukazaki
  • Dan Siegel
  • Emilda Poppins
  • Pat Boone
  • David Hasselhoff
  • Jeremy and David Peaston

Click Here to view Monalisa’s Discography.

Mona's Personal Hits
  • Hit song "Love and Desire with the group known as “Arpeggio” (Duet by Monalisa and Sidney Barnes; composed by Sidney Barnes)
     
  • Featured Vocalist on Yanni’s Grammy Nominated CD” with song “Aria
     
  • Featured Vocalist with “Little Anthony” with Duet “Your Love
     
  • Member of “Saint Tropez” with hit song hit song “Femme Fatal
     
  • Member of “The World Class Wreckin’ Cru” featured vocal on hit song “Lovers
     
  • Personal single- the hit song “Rock Me Down” as “Monalisa
     
  • Personal hit on Quality Records “Love in the Making” featuring “Barry White
     
  • All Lead Vocals on album “French Kiss” hit song “Panic” for Prism Records
     
  • Top Ten Single in Australia “I Want To Make It With You Tonight
     
  • Member of “The World Famous Supreme Team Show” hit single “Opera House
     
  • Featured Vocalist on the single, “I Can Feel Desire” by “Bakk 2 Basikks
     
  • Personal single “Qualified Kiss” as “Monalisa
     
  • Member of “The Power of Seven

Click Here to view detailed information about Monalisa’s personal hits.

Video Appearances

Click Here to watch videos.

Monalisa Appears in videos with:

  • Bob Dylan's Canadian Tour
     
  • The Black Crowes (Into the Fog)
     
  • The Black Crowes (Live At the Roxy)
     
  • The World Famous Supreme Team Show's “Operaa House”
     
  • The World Famous Supreme Team Show's “World Tribe”
     
  • Music Video for Monalisa's single "Love in the Making featuring a guest performance by “Barry White(Learn more)
Movie Soundtracks
  • “Side Out” (all vocals)
  • “Little Shop of Horrors” (leads)
  • “Hercules” (step outs)
  • “Lean On Me” (lead)
  • “Big Girls Don’t Cry” (lead)
  • “Strapped” (all vocals)
  • “Skateboard” (all vocals)
  • “Congo”
  • “Power of One”
  • “Free Willy II”
  • “Outbreak”
  • “A Mother’s Prayer” (featured vocal)
  • “The Truth about Cat’s and Dog’s”
  • “The Lion King: Simba’s Pride”
  • “Just between Friends”
  • “The Last Boy Scout”
  • “I’ll Do Anything”
  • “Nothing to Lose”
  • “Three Weddings and a Funeral”
  • “Gigle”
  • “Dark Blue”
  • “Soul Man”
  • “A Preacher’s Wife”
  • “Three Men and a Little Lady”
  • “The Five Heartbeats”
  • “Coming to America”
  • “Uforia”
  • “Farewell My Lovely” with the great Robert Mitchum (prostitute role)
  • “Satisfaction”
TV Performances, Themes and Features
  • "One Saturday Morning" (theme song)
     
  • "Unhappily Ever After" (theme)
     
  • "The Bold and the Beautiful" (featured vocal)
     
  • "Sandman" (lead)
     
  • "Sunset Park"
     
  • "Touched by an Angel"
     
  • "I’ll Fly Away"
     
  • "In Living Color"
     
  • "Baby I’m Back" (theme song)
     
  • "The French Presidential Campaign" (featured song “Aria”)
     
  • "The Young and the Restless"
     
  • "Disney's Brother Bear: Karaoke: Great Spirits Sound-alike"
     
  • "Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day" (lead- Mother Doesn’t Want a Dog)
     
  • True Colors
Television Performances and Principal Roles
  • "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" (principal)
  • "Cop Rock" (principal)
  • "Jacke’ Special" (principal)
  • "Academy Awards"
  • "Grammy Awards"
  • "Image Awards"
  • "Ebony Awards"
  • "American Music Awards"
  • "Christopher Reeves Special"
  • "The Tonight Show"
  • "Conan O’Brian"
  • "David Letterman"
  • "Craig Ferguson"
  • "Regis and Kelly"
  • "Jimmy Kimmel"
  • "The Early Show"
  • "Extra"
  • "Saturday Night Live"
  • "Elizabeth Taylor Tribute"
  • "Arcinio"
  • "True Colors"
  • "David Foster Special"
  • "Easter Seals and the Midnight Special"
Commercials
  • British Airways (Clio Award Winner with featured vocal “Aria”)
     
  • Minute Maid (lead)
     
  • Nike (lead)
     
  • Pontiac
     
  • Mazda
     
  • Buick
     
  • Jiffy Lube (voice over)
     
  • Bank of America
     
  • Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 (lead’s over 10yrs)
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  • America the Beautiful
     
  • Paul Mitchell
     
  • ABC ID’s (working for you)
     
  • O’Doul’s (lead)
     
  • 1(800) U.S. Search (lead)
British Airways
Rick Dees Weekly Top 40
Nike-logox150
Mazda
ABC TV
Minute Maid

Audio Lounge
Listen to full-length tracks from Monalisa’s solo albums, background performances and demos!

Personal Hits
Learn about all of Monalisa’s solo albums, singles and contributions as a group performer.
 

Discography
A complete listing of Monalisa’s solo recordings and album contributions.

Videography
Watch a variety of Mona’s performances, music videos and commercials.

Contact Monalisa
Stop by and say “hello” or learn how to book Mona for a performance.

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