Monica was born and raised in Chicago, of Lebanese and Hispanic descent. Dancing and listening to a wide variety of music - (from Rock to Olga Guillot, Dean Martin, and Charles Asnavour, to name a few) was always a meaningful part of daily home life, and family parties. Monica was first introduced to Belly Dance by her beloved late mother, Suad Saade, playing Arabic music at home and taking her to see live performances at various clubs and restaurants. She was mesmerized by the way the dancers could interpret the music and mood with the instrument of their bodies. She began formal dance training one summer in her late teens when her mother was taking bellydance classes for fitness, and (not wishing to get sweaty or mess up her makeup) gifted the classes to Monica. A life-long passion had begun!

Monica has performed as a solo-artist in numerous night clubs, restaurants, and private parties in Chicago and the near suburbs. She has also performed in theatre showcase shows, theatrical productions, and with groups in workshop shows. Recent contributions include performing in "Eden" and "Sharia Mohammed Ali" as a member of Baladina Dance Co., directed by award winning international choreographer Karim from Cairo, Egypt. In May 2005, as her community project for Landmark's Self Expression & Leadership course (SELP), Monica created, produced, and served as the Artistic Director for CleoCatra, a benefit performance held at the Mercury Theater for two local cat shelters: Tree House Animals, and Cats Are Purrsons Too. Monica was also a featured performer at Fuel for the band Strain Busy Sky's CD Release Party.

Monica is a contemporary artist of Middle Eastern Dance, specializing in the Egyptian & Cabaret Style, incorporating traditional, folkloric, classic oriental, and interpretive, improvisational genres. She has studied, performed, and taken numerous workshops with many famous Oriental Dancers such as Sadiya, Surayah, Dahlena, and with Egyptian dance choreographers such as Karim Tonsy and Abeer Will.

Monica represents Belly Dance as an Art Form: a beautiful way to express one's creativity, femininity, individuality, and connect with the inner goddess, or Spirit. Belly Dance offers a fabulous whole body work out, as well! Monica is currently teaching several bellydance classes at LSD, emphasizing technical proficiency, proper form, expression, & body awareness, to help her students keep their movements natural, and of course FUN! I enjoy teaching and sharing the Art of Belly Dance with my students at LSD, in the heart of beautiful downtown Chicago. I dance from my Heart and Soul! I hope to continually expand as a Dancer/Instructor and to inspire my students with their own Dancing Dreams.

Thank you, LSD!