Story & Lesson Highlights with Janet Mona of Arts District

Janet Mona shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Janet, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
No matter what, my days usually start at 5:30 a.m. My wife goes to work early, so I’ve picked up the habit of waking up that early too. I make coffee and breakfast, take our dogs out, and pack her lunch before I get started on my day. Then I take my time drinking my iced coffee, reading emails, and choosing a self-help or mindfulness-centered book to reset before I plunge headfirst into social media promo for the day. After that, I usually head to the gym, dance studio, or recording studio. As an artist, you’re essentially self-employed, which means my schedule can change week to week. If I have a show coming up, I focus on hydrating, drinking tea, doing an hour of cardio each day, and eating as clean as possible. If my week is filled with writing sessions in the studio, I spend a lot more time at the computer mixing and mastering, so I make sure to keep up my cardio at the gym and meal-prep for those twelve-hour studio days so I don’t forget to eat. If I’m teaching a dance class that week, I swap the cardio for an hour of dance each day to practice for myself and my students. I always carve out time to dance and feel the music just for myself, as well as time to journal, read, and work toward bettering myself as a person. (I’m really passionate about self-love and emphasize this heavily in my dance classes.) Somewhere in between the chaos, I plan dinner for our family to make sure we’re fed and ready to take on the next day. What’s most important to me is maintaining some kind of structure and routine, even if the details vary. It took me a while to create one that motivates me and actually works!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Janet Mona: a first-generation Iranian-American singer, songwriter, and dancer based on the West Coast. I’ve performed in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where I was born and raised. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I take the most pride in being a true one-woman show: I write, record, mix, master, and promote every single release myself. Every song I put out is rooted in my personal stories and experiences. As an independent artist, I love the freedom of having no rules: I release music whenever and as often as I want! I’ve also been a dancer since I was six years old and have been teaching beginner heels, jazz funk, and hip-hop since 2019. I grew up training in small Vegas dance studios before continuing at Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. I’m passionate about helping my students find themselves through dance and push past the fear of being perceived so they can unlock their fullest potential. I tend to overshare, but that authenticity is how I connect best with people. My biggest supporters resonate with that honesty–whether it’s through my music or my movement. Ultimately, I’m passionate about breaking cycles, emotional intelligence, and creating genuine connections through my art!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I landed my first singing solo in my school’s production of “The Sound of Music”. My music teacher was a hard-ass, and most of the kids absolutely despised him only because he would get frustrated with them for being so rowdy. I was a quiet kid who was quick to fall in line, which worked so well with my most strict music and dance teachers. I was one of the few kids who really loved and looked up to him, it seemed (kids are assholes!!). I was only six years old, and he actually forced me to audition for the solo. I was absolutely terrified! He did this thing where he would make each singer line up, put his ear up to us as he moved down the line, and then tap your shoulder to sit down if you didn’t make the cut. I was standing for so long until I realized I was the last kid standing. I felt a bit of that power in that moment for sure. But nothing held a candle to when I performed that solo for the first time on stage, with a sea of parents watching. It was over so fast, but the feeling of hitting the notes, watching my music teacher smile when I hit them all, and hearing the applause was definitely the powerful moment that started me on the path I’m still on today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self: “You did nothing wrong for being emotional or wanting more. You’re going to make it out, and you’re going to build a life so full of love and freedom that it won’t even feel real sometimes.” I think that encompasses every worry the younger me had and would hopefully help her move through the trauma with ease. What a shame that time machines don’t exist!

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Honestly…yeah! The public version of me is definitely the real me. I don’t really know how to fake it or put on a persona; I used to think that was a detriment but I’ve found through the years that it’s way, way better to be more authentic as you move through creating your art…I fall in love with my favorite songs when I know that they came from a genuine place. I’m definitely introverted and shy but I also know how to combat that in order to be in this industry. The only difference is that performing brings out the version of me that’s the most fearless. It’s still real, it’s just amplified, like turning the volume all the way up on who I already am.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop ruminating on the past entirely. I try to do that as best as I can now, but it’s hard to not repeat some of the trauma that happens to us as humans over-and-over again in our heads…and I know that’s normal and natural, but it does NOT serve any of us well! Life is meant to be LIVED, and enjoyed as much as possible. Every day is a gift, and tomorrow is never promised; I know this very well (my best friend passed away when I was young and it was a big life lesson & eye opener for me). My biggest hurdle will always be the voice in my head, and it’s the one thing that ends up holding a person back. I’d definitely stop immediately if I knew I had 10 years left…which then has me thinking in this moment…why WAIT until you’re told something so definite?! I’m betting that almost every answer to this question is a lesson in what we should start doing before it’s too late.

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Janet Mona

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