A native of North Carolina, Tangena brings a variety of performance experiences to the stage of The Carolina Opry Theater. She began her singing career at four years of age at church; after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tangena traveled extensively abroad as a featured entertainer on various cruise lines and in the U.S. on the Broadway National Tour of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Other theater credits include Man of La Mancha, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Cabaret. Tangena and her husband Pete are the proud parents of beautiful Sadie Katherine Mishler and Deacon Mishler.