She had the honour to work with such artists as Liane Carroll (award winning jazz singer) and Ashley Slater (aka Freak Power), as well as Norman Cook (aka Fat Boy Slim) . Monika’s ambitions to make the world a better place with her talent was recognised by Cancer Research Uk and became their ambassador for their Busking Cancer campaign.

She also became ambassador for Forward Facing charity and her song „Superheroes” was performed by a very special choir on the legendary stage of the Brighton Dome (where ABBA won the Eurovision).

After moving back to Budapest in 2022 she has been mostly focusing on her family and became an English teacher at International Business Communications Language School. The challenging climate of the Hungarian music scene and the unique opportunities in Budapest have turned her attention to film from music and has been lucky enough to work with such stars as Keanu Reeves and Rami Malek.

Monika is also known as a host and promoter of various events at the high profile Brody House. A less known fact is that it was thanks to her fundraising efforts that the nationalwide organisation 10Million Trees got a kick start back in 2019.
 

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up mostly in Budapest and also in London where I moved all by myself at the age of nineteen. I wouldn’t be the same person today if I hadn’t lived in the Uk, it was the most life changing decision of my life. 

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Well to be honest, I am not really an expat as my native lanugage is Hungarian and I spent most my life here, but after having lived  in the Uk for so long I feel like an expat here now. I have a British nationality as well,  so I guess I can define myself as an expat and I lead a typical expat life here with my English family and friends.But answering your question, Budapest is a great place for us expats, I wouldn’t change it at the moment. 

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?

It would be my sister and friends, and everything that is Budapest. I love this city to bits.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

Apart from the usual touristy bits I like taking them to the hills and around the less touristy Buda side and nearby towns such as Szentendre. 

5. What is your favourite food?

My favourite Hungarian food is probably my Husband’s gulyás and in general  everything Italian. If I could pick a death row meal it would probably be seafood linguini!

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?

Swimming for sure, I use it for meditation rather than for excercise though. I used to run too but I stopped after I completed the Brighton Marathon in 2012. 

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?

Budapest and Balatonboglár to pick a few. 

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

I’d love to host my own tv show or play in a series, or start a new business teaching English with my own method or find a job where I can travel around the world :)

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?

I was going to say a secondary school teacher, but then I’d probably enjoy that too. 

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?

At my friend’s place half an hour away from us at the Marina Part. I just needed some peace and quiet on my own away from the boys in my family!

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?

Traveling to the South of Europe with my family has been a long term dream of mine, hopefully we’ll get a chance to make it happen this summer. 

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

The Beatles, and everybody knows about that . I even had the pleasure to meet Paul McCartney in Brighton at his son’s concert, he is a nice and polite gentleman, he didn’t want me to buy him a drink tough. 

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?

Absolutely nothing!

14. Red wine or white?

Yes please!

15. Book or movie?

Mostly books nowadays, or love watching old movies with the family. 

16. Morning person or night person?

Always been a night person, but sadly the wold is made for morning people. 
17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about? At the moment I am quite saddened by the rising political madness. I am also concerned about mental health related issues in general. But I usually take part in projects and campaigns and charity work where my talent and personality can contribute the most. 
18. Buda or Pest side? Bit of both.
19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about? My musical career in England, my fundraising work for 10 Million Trees, some of my songs that I wrote, my photography award, and of course my family.  
20. What would you say is your personal motto? (You can make up something original or choose a famous quote or a song lyric if you’d prefer.) I’d choose „Life is too important to be taken seriously” by Oscar Wide, or „I can resist everything except temptation” but you’ve already mentioned that :)