Monica Yunus Competition. In 2001, Yunus sang the role of Nanetta in "Falstaff" in her debut with Amato Opera. In the 2002–2003 season, Yunus made her debut with Nashville Opera as Gretel in Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel", her debut with Virginia Opera as Oscar in "Un ballo in maschera", and performed the role of Walter in "La Wally" at Alice Tully Hall with Teatro Grattacielo. She also performed the roles of Servilia in Mozart's "La clemenza di Tito" and Polly in "Die Dreigroschenoper" with Pittsburgh Opera as part of her internship there. Yunus was also awarded a career grant from the
Ketzel, the Cat who Composed "School Library Journal" called it "A delightful read." "Kirkus Reviews" named it "Truly, the cat's meow." and "Publishers Weekly", in a star review, wrote "a lovely tale of cross-species affection and creativity". It was also reviewed by the Jewish Book Council, the "Jewish Journal", and the "Buffalo News". "Ketzel" won the 2016 Massachusetts Book Awards Picture Book/Early Reader Award, and the 2016 Gold Sydney Taylor Book Award Younger Reader Category Ketzel, the Cat who Composed Ketzel, the Cat who Composed is a children's picture book by Lesléa Newman. Based on a true story, it is about the friendship between Moshe