Cassandra’s love of singing and the arts came at an early age while
growing up on a farm in Woodstock, IL. She loved to make up songs about anything she could think of. She also liked to put
on stuffed animal rock concerts in her room with her little brother. When she was 13, she begged her parents to buy her a
piano. To her surprise, they were able to get a used one from a friend of the family. They could not afford to pay for piano
or voice lessons so she taught herself piano and participated in as much choir, band and theater in school as she could. It
was in music that Cassandra found a place that she belonged.
Cassandra is the owner of A Place to Shine Music, Inc. where for
17 years she has been teaching, performing, writing and producing music. After receiving a degree in Music Education and Vocal
performance from the University of Illinois in 1991, Cassandra continued her professional training in opera and acting for
7 years in Chicago where she performed with the Grant Park Symphony, The New Organaization for Vocal Artistry and was an anthem
soloist for the Chicago Bulls. In her late twenties, she changed her focus and became a rock/pop/jazz singer and began focusing
more on writing and performing her own original music.
Her motto: "Believe in what is possible..." It is her passion and soul’s work to share music
and inspire growth. As a teacher she fulfills this by coaching voice, acting and functioning as an artist’s mentor and
workshop facilitator. As a performer, she does this through writing, singing and recording her own music and performing as
often as possible. She is also asked to collaborate regularly with other talented area musicians. In addition,
she is the co-creator of the organization SOTA- Spirit of the Arts, which provides artists an opportunity to perform in a
supportive environment, through open mics, festivals and feature concert events. Cassandra has a studio at the Lakeside Legacy
Arts Park at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake, IL. She lives in Marengo, IL with her husband Phil.
