Biography

Renée is a classically-trained concert pianist born and raised in Wisconsin, where she studied at the Wisconsin College/Conservatory of Music. She holds a teaching degree, received under full scholarship, from the St. Louis Institute of Music. Renée moved to Florida from New York in 1971, following studies at Manhattanville College with William Harms of the Curtis Institute. She completed her degree in Fine Arts at Florida Atlantic University while studying with Gerald Snyder of the Cleveland Institute. Renée has coached with Leonard Rose, Joaquin Achucarro and Anthony diBonaventura.

Renée is acclaimed for orchestral performances and recitals throughout Europe, Central and South America, Asia and the US. She has appeared with the National Symphonies of Bulgaria, Romania, Costa Rica, Greece, Mexico, Peru, and Spain; as well as Malaysia’s Mozart Festival, the celebrated Budapest Chamber Orchestra, Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, Cappella Istropolitana, the Czech Moravian Virtuosi, I Musici Estensi, Arpeggione Chamber Orchestra, Mont Blanc Chamber Orchestra, Mission Chamber Orchestra of Rome, and in Budapest’s famed Vigado Theater with the Hungarian Virtuosi.

She has served on the faculties of Florida Atlantic University and Broward Community College, frequently sits on Grant Review Panels for the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, and often adjudicates student exams for the Florida State Music Teacher’s Association.

Private piano instruction is offered through the studio for all ages and skill levels, including beginner to advanced adults.  Areas of study include early learning, ear training, theory mastery, skill development, and performance coaching. Renée is a skilled duo-pianist who delights in introducing “four-hand” piano to students, as well as collaborating with colleagues on four-hand duo-piano repertoire.

Renée also specializes in auditory training – early vocal development, ear training, sight-singing, and theory. She is experienced in adapting curriculum to the specific needs and goals of each student.

Renée’s students have received numerous awards and scholarships through the Broward County Music Teachers Association, Florida State Music Teachers Association, National Guild of Piano Teachers (part of the American College of Musicians), and at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. Over 90% of students in her studio receive “Superior” ratings annually in state and national evaluation exams.

Renée’s decades of teaching experience, proven methods, and encouraging individually-tailored approach bring out the best in each student. She instills appreciation for both classical and popular music in her students and drives each to establish a personal connection to the compositions they are studying.

Renée brings her students a unique perspective and a wealth of experience developed through her career as Founding Executive Director of the Symphony of the Americas. She has been exposed to music of all kinds and genres, has enjoyed access to living composers, talented arrangers, and amazing artists, and has worked extensively with masterclasses and workshops. From its inception in 1987 until 2020, she served as the orchestral concert pianist with the Symphony of the Americas in its performance home at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Renee was recently chosen to spearhead a cultural exchange project to mentor the Don Bosco Youth Orchestra in El Salvador.

Funded by a grant from the US Embassy in El Salvador, this project,  “Amistad en Accion” (Friendship in Action)  involved 16 Symphony of the Americas musicians traveling to El Salvador on several occasions for one-on-one coaching of youth orchestra musicians on all instruments.  Side-by-side full orchestral rehearsals and concerts with students and professional SOA musicians throughout the Country featured a first-time exposure of these students to music of American pops and Broadway composers. The success of this pilot project partnership with the Embassy and USAID made a remarkable difference with youth who live in a country facing multiple challenges.

As Executive Director, Renée managed the Symphony’s annual concert series as well as Summerfest, an annual performance tour of Florida and the Americas featuring a major foreign chamber orchestra joined by Symphony musicians.

Festival performances have taken place in nearly every country of Central America, as well as several in South America and the Caribbean, over its 30-year history. For these cultural exchanges, she received recognition from the President and Congress of the US, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, and Florida’s Secretary of State.

Renée was instrumental in the production of Seasons of Change, an international PBS arts documentary filmed on location in Budapest featuring the Hungarian Virtuosi, and has produced, performed, or appeared as a soloist on over 30 compact discs.