UMaine Artist Profile: Monica Cooper

By Leah Pritchett

Posted on Feb. 19, 2009, at 12:00 a.m.

Leah Pritchett

'I decided to pick up my guitar and write my own songs. I needed to let it all out,' Monica Cooper said.

Walking the fourth floor of Knox Hall, it’s hard not to notice blue-eyed beauty Monica Cooper rocking out with her acoustic guitar and blasting melodies with her angelic voice. Whether a capella or guitar in tow, she constantly provides a soundtrack for her hallway – in or outside of her room, even in the bathroom. The first-year is a dimensional individual with an outrageous sense of attitude and style; this girl can blow anyone out of their seat.

Raised and born in a musically driven family, 18-year-old Monica taught herself to play guitar last summer.

“Music just naturally comes to me. I would listen to my father play guitar and basically I would pick it up from there. The first song I ever taught myself to play was ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles,” she said.

After Monica broke her ankle while playing basketball in the snow last semester, she was unable to finish her first term. She spent all of winter break bandaged and in bed. Her passion for music strengthened as she began to doubt the merits of partying and substance abuse.

“I realized so much about myself while I laid in bed. I was so tired of wasting my life away. That’s when I decided to pick up my guitar and write my own songs. I needed to let it all out,” Monica said.

Monica’s lyrics are captivating and relatable. One of her self-composed songs, “I Don’t Know,” has left many breathless and craving for more.

“It’s so hard not to pay attention to her sing,” said Sterling Doiron, resident assistant for Knox’s fourth floor. “I think she has a beautiful voice. She needs to go to open mic night and sing for more people and get her name out there.”

Although Monica is still undecided for a major, she wants to continue pursuing music. She hopes she can land herself a recording contract or even produce her own material.

“I believe if she promotes herself, she can easily grow a local fan base. I would buy her album if she puts one out,” Doiron said.

Until that happens, Monica will continue to fill the halls of Knox with mind-boggling music with that divine voice.

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