BIOS
Established in 1981, A Cross Between is the husband and wife team of Ron and Cynthia Arden. We both hold advanced degrees in music arts and have over 50 years of professional experience between us. For twenty-five years, God has used us to bless audiences coast to coast with skilled musicianship, dramatic performances, and innovative style. For more information, please read our bios below.

Cynthia Arden
Presently a violin faculty member with the Zion Conservatory of Music and the Concertmaster of the Zion Chamber Orchestra, Cynthia brings impressive credentials and a solid professional background to any musical community. Cynthia began studying piano at the age of two and added the violin at age 10. She continued her musical education at Butler University, where she was an honors graduate with a Bachelor's in Music Education and a Masters in Violin Performance. Her orchestral career began in Nebraska, as Concertmaster with the Lincoln Symphony and Principal of the Omaha Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. For the next eight years she freelanced in the Houston area with the Houston Grand Opera, Ontario Chorus, and Bach Society. A family move then took her to Ft. Lauderdale and a position as Associate Concertmaster with the Symphony of the Americas. She also performed with the Florida Philharmonic and Palm Beach Pops. Besides teaching and performing locally, Cynthia has spent the past 21 summers in Boulder at the Colorado Music Festival, playing with the Festival Orchestra.

Ron Arden
Ron received his musical training at Butler University in Indianapolis, added a Masters from the University of Nebraska in viola performance and doctoral work at the University of Houston in voice and viola. For over 25 years he has performed, taught, and conducted as a self-employed artist of the first rank. Orchestral viola experience includes the Omaha Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, Lincoln Symphony, Houston Bach Society, The Allegro Quartet of Houston, Houston Grand Opera, The Florida Philharmonic, and Symphony of the Americas in Ft. Lauderdale. His vocal/acting experience includes performances as a freelance artist in Omaha, and work with the Houston Grand Opera, as well as the Class Act Broadway touring company of South Florida. Ron has taught private voice and viola in each of the cities mentioned above and has also served as a featured teacher for the Elderhostel Continuing Education programs. He and Cynthia have toured the country for 25 years and have cut three compact discs performing as the duo A Cross Between. They have two children, Nikolas and Ivan, and reside in Zion, where Ron spent 5 years as Minister of Music, Worship, and Drama at Christ Community Church. Besides orchestrating worship there, he was Artistic Director of the Zion Passion Play, Dean of the Zion Conservatory, and Music Director of the Zion Chamber Orchestra, which has received two awards from the Illinois Council of Orchestras.