René has always loved church music ministry, having grown up in a Baptist church in Washington, D.C. with a pipe organ and nine choirs.  She has been blessed to serve as an organist and pianist for multiple churches of various sizes and denominations.  Before joining Emmanuel, René served as interim organist at Saint James Episcopal Church in Warrenton, VA where she helped rebuild the church’s music ministry after the church reopened as the COVID-19 pandemic began to recede.

Having studied classical piano and pipe organ under wonderful teachers and professors, René loves to collaborate with other musicians and particularly encourage children and youth to share their musical gifts in worship.  René continued her music studies at Oberlin College and graduated with a degree in Religion before obtaining her law degree at The Catholic University of America. She was blessed to accompany a choral group at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Washington, D.C., provide accompaniment for a professionally recorded album of choral anthems, and accompany student and professional musicians.  In addition to music, René enjoys sewing projects and powerwalking in her spare time.

René, a practicing attorney, is married to Henry, an ordained Baptist minister, and medical doctor. They have three adult children, who they homeschooled from kindergarten through grade 12, using a Christian-based curriculum.