René Zara

René Zara was born René Catherine Bergeron to Rebecca (née Canillas), a factory worker and Gilbert Bergeron, an electrical and systems engineer. Her mother was born and raised in the Philippines. Her American-born father is of French-Canadian descent. Growing up in Reading, Massachusetts, René began acting in plays as early as age 8. A lifelong musician and stage actor, she has nurtured a passion for the performing arts, acting in such local stage productions as "Bye, Bye, Birdie," "Noises Off," "Peter Pan," "Nunsense!" and "Ruthless! The Musical." Growing up in a family of musicians, René herself has learned a myriad of instruments including guitar, piano and percussion. A long career in music including school bands, jazz orchestras, vocal ensembles, and cover bands, she has had the opportunity to work with Grammy-award-winning musician, Imogen Heap, culminating in a performance alongside her at London's Royal Albert Hall. Her choral arrangement of Heap's smash hit "Hide and Seek" was