Ceren Altınel was born in 1999 in Istanbul. Her interest in art began at an early age of 6 by taking ballet and violin lessons. Her interest in music turned into a passion during her violin studies. She prepared for the conservatory auditions with the support of her family and mentors. In 2010, Altınel got accepted into the full-time program at the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul State Conservatory. Although her wish was to play the flute, Altınel was found suitable for playing bassoon by the jury. She took bassoon lessons from Cenk Aktalay for a year. After sharing the concerns about her bassoon studies with the school administration, Altınel had prepared for a flute audition and started her flute studies with Ayla Uludere, which continued until 2016. Later, she began working with Aslıhan And in 2017.

Altınel was awarded 1st prize at the IV. International Flute Competition in Monaco, France in 2014, 2nd prize at the Afyon International Marsiyas Flute Competition in 2016, 2nd prize at the II. Varna International Flute Competition held in 2016, 2nd prize at the Varna International Flute Competition in 2017 and the 3rd prize at the Fluttissimo 2020 Flute Competition held in Nice, France in 2020. The awards became a source of motivation for Altınel to work even harder at her craft.

In 2018, Altınel succeeded in the selection of the Turkish National Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (TUGFO) under the direction of Cem Mansur and had the chance to give a concert in the top concert halls of Europe as a member of the orchestra. In 2020, she gave a concert within the CRR Youth Symphony Orchestra. She performed two concerts in 2022. Her first time in a professional orchestra was the CRR Symphony Orchestra concert conducted by Alexander Rahbari. Her first concert as a soloist was the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra conducted by Can Okan, where she performed the 1st part of Mozart's D Major Concerto.

In June 2022, Altınel graduated from the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul State Conservatory as a High Honor Student. Currently, Altınel is studying with Aslıhan And in the second semester of her two-year graduate programme.