Renate Riedemann started violin lessons at Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre at the age of 7. There she was chosen as the co-leader of the Young Strings Orchestra in 1996. In 1998 she was elected as the principal violinist for the String Ensemble, and in 2000 she was recommended as the leader of the Intermediate String Orchestra. In her third year of study at the University of Stellenbosch she performed as concertmaster for the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra. She passed all her UNISA exams with distinction and obtained a place on the UNISA roll of honour in 1999. She has won numerous prizes such as the Kenridge Primary trophy for exceptional achievement in music and the DF Malan High School subject award in 2000 and 2002. She matriculated with distinction obtaining four A’s. In 2003 she received lessons from well-known violinist, Suzanne Martens.

Renate started her studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2005 and was invited to become a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society due to outstanding academic achievement in 2006. In 2007 she completed her B.Mus degree Cum Laude and in 2008 she obtained her Hons.B.Mus majoring on violin performance. She received the L.E. Smallie bursary for two consecutive years, HA Molteno bursary, FAK postgraduate bursary, University of Stellenbosch Women’s Association Award for musical performance and Helpmekaar bursary due to academic records. She received masterclasses from Jan Repko (solo), BjÖrn Bantok (ensemble), Denise Sutton (ensemble) Albie van Schalkwyk (ensemble) and Daniel Rowland (solo). She has performed at numerous concerts both as soloist and ensemble player. In 2006 her ensemble was chosen as one of the finalists at the National Ensemble Competition. She also plays as ad hoc musician for Con Spirito Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Namibia Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Fokkens’ Symphony Choir and the Winelands Orchestra. Before joining Sterling in 2010, Renate was working as a part-time violin tutor at various top schools in Cape Town.