Rene was born in China into a family of talented musicians. His mother was a professional singer in Shanghai, and his siblings were highly regarded pianists.

He started playing the guitar when he was 13, and has been performing ever since. He won the national singing contest when he was in High School, and was invited to judge at the prestigious international Asian Amateur Song Contest. After graduation, he became a professional performer and was frequently featured at concerts and other public events. He was also a recording artist for Hong Kong public television, and wrote songs used to teach English to children.

He immigrated to the United States in 1982 and eventually moved to San Diego, CA, where he teamed up with Doug (pictured above) to form the professional, acoustic folk/rock duo "Second Wind". The duo was a popular attraction at clubs, hotels, coffeehouses, and lounges all around San Diego county.

Rene is also a devout Christian, and has directed a number of contemporary choirs, and is the original director/founder of the popular St. Brigid contemporary choir "Ordinary Time" in Pacific Beach, CA. He currently resides in Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, FL, and continues his Christian music ministry as the director of the contemporary choir at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church.