It's been 29 years since Cindi Scheffler won the Minnesota State Fair talent show that launched her singing career. Since then, her voice has been heard in some of the most upscale restaurants in the Twin Cities, including Yvette’s, Sophia’s, and the Dakota. She has entertained in these venues as her own life has progressed. It is at the Nicollet Island Inn, though, that she has finally found her niche.
On a typical Saturday night at the Inn’s piano bar, Scheffler sings to a range of people; from loud families to elderly couples to young professionals. Needless to say, musical requests are diverse.
“I can sing anything from ‘20s music to Adele. I’ve even had a request for Frozen!” Scheffler says. “If I don’t know a song, I’ll try and learn it that week, and encourage [the guest] to come back.”
In this way, Scheffler has grown to regularly interact with and appreciate the patrons.
“It’s really fun to be a part of knowing that you made something special for somebody. I’ve always tried to focus on music as a gift that I can give to somebody,” Scheffler says.
She has passed on the gift of music to her children (her son is local country singer Michael Lane) and her community, performing at theaters, teaching Broadway to preschoolers, giving vocal lessons to high school students and coordinating events for seniors. But it is the musical cabaret scene that has continually called to her.
“I think it’s an environment that gives people an opportunity to sit and relax, when everything else is so hustle and bustle.”
Scheffler has also witnessed the consistent presence of families celebrating birthdays, couples announcing engagements, and anniversaries being commemorated. It’s the ebb and flow of life, and Scheffler sings on.
