What is the best thing that I love about my work?
Diversity. I love the fact that I can be a vocal coach, a performing artist, even an accountant when necessary. Whenever I decide that it is time to focus more on my journey rather than a business (a music school that operations I run from day to day), I can for example delegate my lessons, and focus my career as an artist.
What is my idea of happiness?
(Financial) Freedom. Many times we hear that “Money doesn’t bring you happiness” but in my opinion it does. In life we always care to stay healthy, stay close to our loved ones, help them when necessary, go to nice places etc. It is all achievable only if you have financial recourses to do so. Before you judge me: “oh, she’s all about the money”, I care to have money not for myself, but for my family, my sister’s children and in case someone from my loved ones get seriously sick, I can find the best care for them. I see my business as a tool to provide not only to myself, but to give jobs to others and help them achieve their happiness- whatever it is for them. That’s my happiness.
What is my greatest fear?
Death still lands somewhere at the top. I don’t fear things that I know I have the influence to change. Death is taking us or our loved ones in a second and there is nothing you can do to stop it. You can only learn to live in this new reality.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
Being stubborn. It is many times “my way or high way”. I am very bad at team work, and as an entrepreneur that is the worst that can happen. But then again: that is something I can change, and although it is a process, it is achievable.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?
My career goes simultaneously in two paths: as a music school owner and a vocal coach- I care about bringing the best results to my students, and run my school in a most efficient way, letting it grow as well. For that I admire vocal coaches, like Cheryl Porter- she is an amazing vocal coach, singer , and she knows how to build business around her personal brand. As well as I admire entrepreneurs, not necessarily within my profession: Brendon Burchard- besides being an efficiency coach, he wrote several books on establishing your mindset towards the success.
As a singer and performing artist, I of course have my favorite singers, that align a bit more with my style than others, but honestly, I admire every single artist that “made it”: puts work to their portfolio, and works hard to monetize their musical skills.
What is my greatest extravagance?
I love pink hair! I don’t wear it on a daily basis, but I have pink wigs and… I love it!
On what occasion would I lie?
On many occasions actually. I think some people are not ready to hear the truth about certain things, or themselves. Sometimes, to avoid “bigger fire” it is better to dose the information and not give it all up at once. I would also lie to my parents about some incidents that happened to me, to not worry them with something I have to fix myself anyway.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
As a small business owner, sometimes it feels overwhelming. In all my daily tasks, there is always something more I could do, but unfortunately I have only 24 hours in a day. In singing career, I hate the fact that you work hard and you don’t know what the outcome will be like. For example, few days ago I have released a new single, so I was sending the press kit to many, many, many media outlets. None of them replied nor shared my release on their blogs/platforms. Especially with promoting my music: the outcome is so unmeasurable…
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
The moment I am writing it, it is one of the happiest moments actually! I just got back from the meeting with “De Nachegaal Huis van de Wijk” in Rotterdam Charlois, and I am happy to tell that we will start our collaboration, as MKA Music will start giving lessons at their location from September on! But every small win is a happy moment. The happiest? I guess it is still yet to come.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
I would be smarter, and learn faster (I totally can’t change that). There is so many things I want to and I NEED to learn, and the progress takes too slow.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
From my career perspective as a singer, that would be participation at The Voice of Poland in 2020. I had an amazing time there, and I have learnt so much a about myself: what stress me out the most, what are my shortcomings… unfortunately, at the quarterfinals I had to say goodbye to the program.
Where would I most like to live?
Warm country pleaseeee… I totally see myself living in Dubai and me and my partner are talking about it more and more often. I am also a model, and Dubai is the place where modeling industry is pretty good developed. But we shall see… for now I am onto something good in The Netherlands and I like it here!
What is my most treasured possession?
Family and relationships with people. My partner, my sister’s two beautiful children, my parents… but also relationships with people: teachers that work for MKA Music, my network. You can’t do much by yourself, and that was recently my biggest lesson. If I loose people I loose everything.
What is my most marked characteristic?
I am really struggling here with the answer, but if I have to choose, that would be humbleness. I don’t necessarily say it as a positive trait of my personality. It is something I grew up with: don’t stand out, stay in line with others (or even a little bit behind), and your real talents will be noticed regardless. In music industry you need to put your humbleness back to your pocket, and push through the rejection over and over again. I still don’t know how to handle compliments from people in a way that it doesn’t come out awkward.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
McDonald’s. No kidding! I love to go to McDonald’s, order a coffee, take my laptop and work work work. Ideals flow in! It has to do with the fact that you are unnoticed there. No one cares if you’re sitting, working, eating, meeting with friends… but the same inspiration I get at my studio where I teach.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Recently I like to visit Cafe in the City for dinners or social gatherings. You can enjoy your dinner, and if you and your friends had too many drinks in one evening, and suddenly you feel like dancing, later the whole place turns into a party.
What books influenced my life and how?
“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle had a huge impact on my life in terms of spirituality, but also the way of approaching obstacles in life. Book like 50 Cent’s “Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter” or “Will” by Will Smith- these books have showed me that even millionaires had to overcome a lot of obstacles, before they got to the top. “Crucial conversations” by Kerry Patterson- have given me a great insight into dealing with people, increasing a chance of getting what you want in negotiations, without leaving a conversational partner unhappy or unfulfilled.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I totally see myself panicked, “with my nose in” Spotify playlists, jumping from one tune to another to have a chance to listen to everything. Probably, I would even stil search within a pool of undiscovered artists.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
I don’t really have one… the life I chose for myself requires from to be as effective as possible, so as sad as it sounds to some people, there is no space in my day for reading nor watching fiction.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Eckhart Tolle, Grant Cardone, Beyonce, Jessie J- just from the top of the list.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
I am a big fan of old romantic movies and love to come back to these once in a while. You really need to like that type of movies tho, but my favorite are “Kate & Leopold” and “Emma”.
What role play stories in my life and work?
Stories for me are to teach me a lesson: whether it is a good or a bad lesson. Work for me is a journey. It is a big part of my daily routine, but I love it! So, it is a journey I enjoy.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
It means to things for me two things. First: you are the writer of your own life, so all the situations that happens to you are the aftershocks of your decisions. Two: you are the main character of your “movie” which is your life. You act accordingly to it: to your values, learnt lessons and knowledge you have gained.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My partner- Jester. He is there to cheer me up, listen, give an advice, hug or to kick my butt when I need it.
Which people or companies would I like to work with ?
I recently love these collabs where two different vibes come in together. I totally see myself in collaboration with artists, like Frenna, Broederliefde, or Mr Polska (I am Polish as well, so that could be a meaningful collaboration), but also artists that fall more towards my own style: Famke Louise, Tabitha, or Flemming.
What project am I looking forward to work on?
There is one project with a record label, but I can’t say much, as it is still in negotiations. I reeeeally want this collaboration to happen tho! Besides that, I am busy with establishing music group lessons for children in the Rotterdam area. I am super excited about it! Also, I have currently two ongoing projects to which I co-wrote songs with a Polish rapper known as OŚF, and a Polish activist working in The Netherlands. Both projects are still in the making, but soon we will be ready to share it with the world!
Where can you see me or my work?
My teaching side of the business you can follow at:
Home
As an artist:
https://www.instagram.com/monika_copper/
https://www.youtube.com/@MonikaCopperSings
https://www.facebook.com/coppermonika
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
Passion is the part of who we are. As long as we live, so does live the passion. However, passion is something that needs to be nurtured, especially if it lays in your line of work. If you don’t nurture it, it can retire faster than you will.
Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
Claudia Lantini (IG @claudialantini) dance
Melifica Ferreira (IG @meliciaferreira) singer
Coldwolf.photo (IG @coldwolf.photo) photographer
How can you contact me?
Email: coppermonika@gmail.com
IG direct message: @copper_monika
The Heroine's Journey 