ABOUT US
The Ensemble Pro Arte Background
Ensemble Pro Arte is a Jazz group based in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Founded by Christa Rübsam Schneider, Albert Perez, Eric Struve and Ken Takata, Ensemble Pro Arte represents decades of varied musical experience. Our natural ease of musical interplay comes from years of playing together in shared musical projects, bands and performances. This is complemented by the easygoing, open and fun atmosphere that our personalities create together.
Ensemble Members and Contributors
Christa Rübsam Schneider
Cello
Christa has been playing violin and cello for much of her life and is currently a private teacher, educator, composer, performer and recording artist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Groups with whom she has played, recorded and toured locally and globally are the Poor Nobodys, Dreamland Faces, Painted Saints, No Longer Music, and Skeleton Crew. She enjoys composing, recording and performing, especially for silent films.
Albert Perez
Guitar
Albert graduated from Musictech College, McNally Smith College of Music, St. Paul Minnesota, with an associates in guitar performance. Albert has been teaching since 2006 and performing, recording and touring with groups that represent a wide variety of genres including jazz, blues, country, folk, reggae, and funk. Along with composing, Albert particularly enjoys live performance.
Eric Struve
Upright Bass
Eric graduated from Musictech College, McNally Smith College of Music, St. Paul Minnesota, with an associates in bass performance. He currently teaches, records and performs in the Twin Cities. Groups with whom he plays include the Poor Nobodys, Doug Otto and the Getaways, and newly formed jazz-influenced group, House on Fire. He most enjoys live performance.
Ken Takata
Piano
Chris Hepola
Drums
