Bios
Cheryl Kapteyn, piano
Cheryl was 7 years old when she began playing the piano. By the time she was 12, she was playing at church and at 14 began her 40 plus years of service as worship pianist. Soon thereafter, her love of playing the organ took hold and by age 17 she added organ to her service in leading worship. Her organ teachers included Jack Vanlaar at Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, MI and Marilyn Mulder at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. Cheryl’s church experience includes accompanying soloists and choirs, service music for congregational singing, and piano/organ solos. In addition to her service in her home church, Cheryl freelances in the Chicago area. She appreciates various genres of music, and enjoys composing and arranging music. In 2005 she began a unique partnership with violinist Renée Hale, providing new opportunities to perform, record, and compose/arrange music. In 2012 the partnership became Stringsong. Considering her lifelong devotion to music, Cheryl says, “Every stage is a preparation for what God has for us next…”
Renée Hale, violin
Renée discovered the violin when she was 4 years old. She advanced through several years of the Suzuki violin method before entering into the Paul Rolland Method with University of Illinois teachers. At age 10 she studied with Sylvia (Moss) Ahramjian; at 12 she began studies with Virginia Farmer. Pursuing a classical performance trajectory, Renée completed both the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in violin performance at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Coaches and teachers included Paul Rolland, Guillermo Perich, and Sergiu Luca. Her professional experience includes orchestras, opera pit orchestras, Broadway shows, celebrity shows, chamber music performances, solo recitals, and studio recording. She enjoys playing many styles of music, and since 2012 has been in Stringsong, a performing and recording partnership with Cheryl Kapteyn, piano/keyboards. Music in worship has been the focus of Renée’s efforts for many years. “When I’m performing music I realize what a true miracle it is to play the violin! Whether I’m leading worship in church or playing a concert, I am worshiping God in my heart.”
Stringsong Arts 