Monique Tse was born in New York and moved to California when she was ten years old. Her early career aspirations included artist, baker and singer. To the relief of music lovers everywhere, she decided to pursue the former while attending University of California at Davis. Here she began using glass as a sculptural medium, though the applications did not involve heating the glass. She graduated with a BA in Art Studio in 1989.

During a lengthy foray into the corporate world, Monique also began taking classes in kiln-related glass techniques at Ohlone College with Susan Longini. Being able to manipulate glass with heat, not to mention learning how to properly use a glass cutter, delighted her. After reading a newspaper article about Mary White and the glass program at San José State University, Monique decided she needed to try glassblowing too. She loved this new way of working with glass. The immediacy of working with molten glass challenged her mentally and physically.

More recently, Monique has been experimenting with flameworking. While she thoroughly enjoys the team aspect of glassblowing, she likes the intimacy and autonomy that this technique offers.

Monique continues to blow glass. She lives, works and bakes in San Jose, California.