Her first big step into the music world came when she joined Tanglefoot, a well-known Rocky Mountain group. She performed and toured with them through most of the '70s as a bassist, guitarist, and fiddle player.

In 1982, Stapenhorst made two life-altering decisions; she left Aspen behind and moved to Sonoma County, where she put her whole heart into launching a solo career instead of joining another band. It took five years, but finally she recorded a debut album, The Dance, at the famous Radio City Music Hall Studios. Some of the tracks she selected for this first solo offering are "Hold On Little One," "Feels Like Love," "Grand Junction," and "Hold Me Close."

Stapenhorst's next album didn't appear until 1995. Invisible Threads was recorded under the Beachwood Records label. Most of her music, many numbers original, smoothly mix folk with bluegrass style and hints of jazz and country. Over the three-plus decades that she has been performing, Stapenhorst has worked with many artists, including Jackson Browne, Rod MacDonald, Crystal Gayle, Shawn Colvin, and Kenny Rogers. ~ Charlotte Dillon