Monica Rae was born and raised in
Missouri, where she earned a B.S. degree in English and Speech from Southeast
Missouri State University and a Master's Degree in Theatre/Directing from St.
Louis University. While teaching in the St. Louis area, Monica performed in Dinner
Theatre and Musical Theatre Productions with such notables as Bill McCutcheon
and Scott Bakula.
A love of theatre and performing brought
Monica to Southern California where she worked for several years in films, TV
and commercials and landed recurring roles on Days of Our Lives and General
Hospital. A chance meeting with an attorney at an industry function, lead
to part-time work in the legal field. Monica soon discovered she had a
"knack" for legaleze and switched her priorities. From 1988
through April of 2006, Monica was employed as a senior litigation assistant at Greenberg, Glusker, Fields, Claman, &
Machtinger LLP, a prominent Century
City law firm that has
entertainment clients among others.
Monica met Ivan at his brother's wedding
in 1986, and they've been together ever since. Although Monica grew up around
square dancing (her parents have been dancing 60 years and recently retired
from teaching & cueing rounds after 27 years), she never took lessons. When
Monica saw a demonstration at Lombardi's Ranch in Saugus, she convinced Ivan to give it a try.