For decades, Monica Rabino helped others find their voice—but now, she’s finally embracing her own. Raised in a household where music was woven into daily life, Rabino was drawn to sound early, thanks to her father’s haunting, minor-key improvisations and a supportive grade school music teacher. By high school, she was singing in chorus and folk groups, playing piano and guitar, and writing original songs. But despite early creative sparks and launching a small indie label in Orlando in the late ’90s, her own music stayed on the back burner. The recent loss of her parents and her brother—who gave her her first guitar—was a turning point. “Life is short,” she says, simply. “It’s time to share what I’ve been holding in.”
Rabino’s style is a heartfelt blend of singer-songwriter warmth and Americana soul, shaped by artists like Sarah McLachlan, Ani DiFranco, and U2. “I’m terrible at pinning down genres,” she jokes, but her strength lies in emotional honesty and melodic intimacy. Her music feels less like a performance and more like a one-on-one conversation—gentle, reflective, and rooted in lived experience.
Like many independent artists, Rabino faced roadblocks—mostly internal. “Money and time always seemed to get in the way,” she admits. Years of prioritizing other people’s creative paths meant her own stayed dormant. But grief became a strange kind of fuel. “I couldn’t wait anymore.” With that shift in mindset came momentum and a new willingness to be vulnerable in front of an audience—on her own terms.
Her most joyful milestones still center on helping others shine, especially through Harmony: A Colorado Chorale, an LGBTQIA+ chorus led by her wife, Joy Jenkins. One highlight: performing in front of 15,000 people alongside Hugh Jackman. “I was so proud of our group,” she says. The moment was bigger than just the crowd—it felt like a tribute to her brother’s enduring belief in her musical voice.
Though she identifies as an introvert, Rabino connects deeply with fans through social media, responding to DMs and comments with quiet authenticity. Live shows are on the horizon as she gears up to share more of her solo material with the world. Her acoustic-driven sound sits comfortably alongside Brandi Carlile or The Lumineers—a perfect fit for anyone craving soulful, story-rich songwriting.
Rabino is currently working on nine new tracks for an album due out in November 2025, with a new single dropping in late August. She’s collaborating with Kimberly Shires of Hear Me Roar Studios, whose mission to uplift women and non-binary artists aligns with Rabino’s own values. “Kimberly makes me sound beautiful,” she says, her gratitude unmistakable. Looking ahead, Rabino hopes to press her first vinyl release in 2026 as a gift to the loved ones who’ve supported her journey.
“Thank you to everyone who’s been with me through this,” Rabino says, with quiet conviction. Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to begin again—and that sometimes, the most powerful songs come from the voices we’ve waited the longest to hear.