Accordion
While teaching traditional Eastern European folk dances, Pine Wilson was inspired by the soulful melodies, stirring harmonies, and intricate rhythms, begging to be played as well as danced to. Eventually compelled to exchange the horizontal keyboard of her classical piano background for the vertical keyboard and bellows of the ethnic accordion, Maritza’s “fearsome leader” also plays with the Luther College Balalaika ensemble and is a former member of the Western Home String Band.
Rob
van Tyn
Oboe, Saxophones, Percussion
Classically trained from the age of 12, oboist Rob van Tyn is widely known as "World's Only Klezmer Oboist", the result of a completely logical chain of events including a brief stint with a free jazz ensemble, a radio commercial recorded for Wisconsin Bell Telephone, and the loss of two fingertips. When he is not performing with Maritza, Rob works as a cabinetmaker.
Oboe, Saxophones, Percussion
Classically trained from the age of 12, oboist Rob van Tyn is widely known as "World's Only Klezmer Oboist", the result of a completely logical chain of events including a brief stint with a free jazz ensemble, a radio commercial recorded for Wisconsin Bell Telephone, and the loss of two fingertips. When he is not performing with Maritza, Rob works as a cabinetmaker.
Acoustic Bass
Bill Musser, Maritza's original bass player, has returned to play with the band because he just couldn't resist the seductive pull of the music. Bill has been playing with bands in the Decorah area for the past 17 years. He is the bassist in Decorah's popular Scandinavian-American old time dance band "Foot-Notes", and has played with local bands (some now defunct through no fault of his) including Norski Klezmorski, Just Four Guys, Tulla, and occasionally with Bear Creek Bluegrass and Western Home String Band.
Ann
Streufert
Violin, Viola, Flute, Percussion
Ann Streufert first began playing the violin in 4th grade so she could go to the annual "Strings Roller Skating Party". After studying classically until midway through college, she became an orchestra dropout when folk tunes caught her ear. Ann has been a member of the American Swedish Institute Spelmanslag of Minneapolis, MN., a strolling minstrel for the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN, a player of Scandinavian double fiddle tunes, and a member of the wannabee band "Wishing for Banjos". A Speech-language pathologist so she can keep eating, she can also teach you how to say, "I want more pie", with perfect articulation.
Violin, Viola, Flute, Percussion
Ann Streufert first began playing the violin in 4th grade so she could go to the annual "Strings Roller Skating Party". After studying classically until midway through college, she became an orchestra dropout when folk tunes caught her ear. Ann has been a member of the American Swedish Institute Spelmanslag of Minneapolis, MN., a strolling minstrel for the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN, a player of Scandinavian double fiddle tunes, and a member of the wannabee band "Wishing for Banjos". A Speech-language pathologist so she can keep eating, she can also teach you how to say, "I want more pie", with perfect articulation.
Drum Set, Percussion
Will has been playing percussion non-stop (you might even say obsessively) for many years, going so far as to earn Masters in percussion. On any given day you'll find him playing with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, teaching Twin Cities college students Afro-Cuban drumming, performing 1940's jazz in a musical theatre production, playing rock and blues until closing time with the Blue Daddies, or, for a special treat, drumming Eastern-European rhythms with Maritza. When Will isn't playing, practicing, or teaching, he loves to take the day off with the company of an excessively long novel.
Drum Set, Percussion
Erik Berg has also been playing percussion practically non-stop since high school. Erik has performed with a wide variety of bands in a drumming career spanning over three decades. More biographical info about Erik will be on this site shortly.
