“made in melbourne” part i
monii tinez
“yung monii”
-me
dancer, choreographer
I met Monii through this club at my school called AOS (Academy of Street Dance) — a club she founded to help people come together and learn different dance styles. Recruiting choreographers, and being one herself, Monii brought on other universities in Melbourne to make AOS accessible for anyone and everyone to join. During a club rush event in August, she was working the booth at Swinburne, I asked for information, and I showed up to the first class. After a few interactions and learning a small piece to get a feel for her style at her class, I remember thinking, “This girl is immensely cool. How—How is she so cool?”
Having the opportunity to become friends with Monii after we did a showcase (that, of course, she spearheaded and helped choreograph) was such a blessing.
When Monii gets in the zone — and I mean, the zone zone — where she looks absolutely fierce and (maybe a little) intimidating when dancing, that’s it. That’s a wrap, I’d pack up my stuff and go home. I was definitely thinking about it halfway through the showcase practices, because even at intro level, your girl here was high key struggling to the beat.
But Monii was all positivity. She would say “All goods! let’s try again”, when someone couldn’t get a step. She was so patient during blocking the piece and cleaning up moves in prep for the showcase. As a choreographer, you have to deal with a lot of different attitudes and egos, and she took it all with grace. Her drive to work on her art, and to fulfill her dreams, shows. She didn’t need to keep earning my respect, because she already had it from the first impression. I already know that she’s been an inspiration and influence on a lot of other artists in the same community, and her rep is rock solid.
Monii is a proud Latina — hailing from El Salvador, she moved to Australia when she was little. I remember asking her, “Hey, if you were to introduce yourself to someone, and then added where you were from, would you say Australia or El Salvador?”, and without missing a beat, she replies, “El Salvador. I’m Latina, Natriya! Obviously!”
Finishing her degree in Computer Science, Monii wears heaps of different creative hats. She helps with production, dabbles in photography, will go on indefinitely about all sorts of music, and of course, she continuously makes time to train, freestyle, and perform at battles around Melbourne. Monii teaches every now and then at dance studios, does some work with filming companies like Flying Art Studios, and is aspiring to be a choreographer for local Melbourne talent. Monii is all about the Burn city rep. Any chance she gets, she loves to do projects that collab with Melbourne-based companies or artists, like a video she was a part of with HoMie.
“whenever you feel stuck, you know where square one is, and you begin again”
What was your biggest challenge getting into dance?
M: My biggest challenge getting into dance was learning the foundations and history a bit too ‘late’. Well, after I believed it was too late. I resented not being able to dance after high school, or take classes to be more knowledgeable when I started University. However, now that I look back on it, I’m actually happy with how the timing worked out. Slowly, but surely, I grew more mature to be able to learn and understand the history and foundation of different styles. This was really important for me to develop my craft and it had a big effect on my movements. But, I did neglect these fundamentals for a long time.
“I’ll see a location or colour or building or person—and the visual forms in my head. I use what I see and try to recreate it”
Monii choreographed a piece in AOS’ showcase, Press Start. The song she chose was “Crumbs” by Jordan Dennis — also, from Melbourne. An avid gamer herself, she loved the song for its video game -esque beats and fun vibe.
What inspires you? Where do you draw inspiration for your creative work?
M: I don’t really like looking for inspiration. I’m affected a lot by the people I’m around — my community, my city, from TV shows, and a lot from video games! Everything, actually. From nature, online, social media — my dog… I just kind of “open myself” to the world and allow ideas to come naturally, which is why it sometimes takes me so long to create. Both a pro and a con!
I tend to daydream a lot during my commutes to and from the city (sidenote, the train station is my favorite place to do chorey). When I walk around the city, usually a song would randomly play, I’ll see a location or colour or building or person — and the visual forms in my head. I use what I see and I try to recreate it as close to detail as I possibly can.
“the cool thing about Burn city is that everyone has their own identity”
How would you define the Melbourne creative/arts community? In your opinion, how have you impacted this community or represented Melbourne?
M: Hmmm. I’d definitely say the community is eccentric, lively, solid, distinct, and raw.
The cool thing about Burn city is that everyone has their own identity, and follows their dreams with passion. What’s even cooler, is that the community fully embraces it, supports it, and encourages it! I believe that I’ve impacted the community through the university dance club community. It definitely molded me into the person I am today — it’s impacted my perspective, my values, and my beliefs. Both RMIT & Swinburne have guided me greatly! As well as Monash & Melbourne Uni — and I will forever be grateful for the friendships and lessons my experiences have given me. With the help of fellow Swinburne and RMIT students, I was able to create our little mark with Swinburne’s AOS. Something I truly hope will continue on for years to come. Don’t forget about me!
(my darling, you are unforgettable!)
