Monique Young was born and raised in East Riverside California where she was formally trained in jazz, tap, ballet, modern, lyrical and hip hop at Bre Dance Studio. She attended Northern Arizona University on a Track and Field scholarship and graduated with degrees in Psychology and Sociology.
Monique is currently the Spirit Squad Coordinator at Benedictine University Mesa
In 2008, Monique decided to get back into the dance and entertainment industry when she auditioned for and made the Arizona Rattlers AFL dance team, the Sidewinders.
In 2009 Monique made the Phoenix Suns Dancers and Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad. Throughout her 3-years with the Suns, Mo was asked to choreograph new and fun routines. She also went on two international trips during her time as a Phoenix Suns dancer to Barcelona and Hong Kong. During the same year she auditioned for Michael Jackson during the This Is It tour in Los Angeles and later that year, she was featured in the posthumous film of the same name.
Towards the end of Monique's NBA seasons she began doing her own choreography for various artists such as The Miracles, Montell Jordan and Bell Biv Devoe, to name a few. Additionally, Monique has assisted in the nationally known Manhattan Dance Project with Justin Timberlake's choreographer Marty Kudelka and Step Up star Misha Gabriel.
Monique became the coach for the NBA Phoenix Suns Dance Kids in 2014. While coaching, she continued to teach at several dance studios in Arizona. The following year, Monique took a trip to San Francisco and made the legendary Oakland Raiders Raiderettes.
In 2016 Monique accepted the job as the Dance and Entertainment Manager for the Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx. As the dance and entertainment manager she oversees all the performance groups for the Timberwolves and Lynx. The performance teams range from The Pups (ages 6-14), 612 Hip Hop Crew, Senior Dancers, 1st Ave Breakers, and the Timberwolves Dancers.
In the same year, Mo made the biggest milestone in her career to date –she put on one of the most successful dance workshops in Minnesota with world-renowned choreographers and dancers, Matt Steffanina and Dana Alexa.
Most recently, Monique had the privilege of working with the UCLA Spirit Squad. She choreographed a halftime Jazz performance for their basketball game. She also worked with St. Catherine University 2017-2018 dance team. Mo choreographed their pom jazz routine for USA Nationals. This was the first time in their school history that their team made it to USA Nationals finals where they placed 6th in the nation.
Her passion and expertise for dance and performance electrifies her students in classes and workshops globally. She is known for turning up the heat and bringing magic into her classes and dance teams. And as an educator, she will turn you into the dancer you want to become.
Don’t miss the Mo Experience!