Monchy y Alexandra Go Their Own Ways Thursday September 18, 2008 4:00pm EST Bachata duo Monchy y Alexandra have split! According to Latingossip.com Alexandra has decided to quit and go on her own. She explains that she has been upset for some time at the lack of professionalism that she has experienced while being part of the combo. They were really one of the biggest acts in this genre, and its sad to see them split up. Luckely the people in Toronto were able to see this amazing duo before the split. Monchy (real name: Ramon Rijo) and Alexandra (real name: Alexandra Cabrera de la Cruz) are Dominican bachata singers. They have been singing together as a duo since 1999. Their first big hit was "Hoja En Blanco" which they released in 1999. Since then they have had many other hits, such as "Hasta El Fin" and "Perdidos", both from their 2004 album "Hasta El Fin", as well as "No Es Una Novela" from their 2006 "Exitos y Mas" album. Their music can be heard throughout Spanish music stations around the US and Spanish speaking countries. Monchy Rijo was born September 19, 1977. From an early age he studied piano, guitar and singing. He first performed in a group in the Dominican Republic; an activity that earned him a place in the recording of the "Bachatazos" series of releases. Afterwards he looked for a partner for his upcoming album release, who eventually became the feminine side of the duo Alexandra Cabrera. Alexandra Cabrera was born October 19, 1978 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She attended a university in 1998, but her studies were put on hold when the opportunity arose to audition for arranger/producer Martires De Leon and executive producer Victor Reyes, who were looking for someone to pair with Monchy. Alexandra won and began the duo that would become Monchy & Alexandra. Success This duo has sold over 500,000 copies worldwide of the releases Hoja en Blanco, Unplugged, Confesiones, and the mix album. In their short career, Monchy & Alexandra have been recognized by some of the most prestigious organizations of the Latino music business. They have been nominated for the Billboard Latin Music Awards, Premios Cassandra, Premios Lo Nuestro and a Latin Grammy. In 2003, the duo received its first major awards, "Tropical Album of the Year, Duo or Group" (for Confesiones) and "Tropical Airplay Song of the Year, Duo or Group" (for "Te Quiero Igual Que Ayer") from the Billboard Latin Music Awards. The pair also won the Tropical Album of the Year award for Exitos y Mas (Hits and More) and the Tropical Song of the Year prize for "No Es Una Novela" (It's Not a Novela at the 2007 Premios Lo Nuestro ceremony. In 2005, the duo performed with Salvadoran singer Alvaro Torres, He Venido A Pedirte Perdon, on an album contributing to Mexican singer, Juan Gabriel. Albums Hasta El Fin (2004) The Mix (2003) Confesiones (2002) Hoja en Blanco(1999) Unplugged (2000) Compilations Exitos y Mas (DualDisc) (2006)