Fifth House Ensemble is a Chicago-based classical music ensemble that was founded in 2005. The group is made up of six core members, including Melissa Snoza (flute), Grace Hong (clarinet), Charlene Kluegel (violin), Herine Coetzee Koschak (viola), Katherine Petersen (cello), and Adam Marks (piano). The ensemble is known for its innovative and collaborative approach to classical music, often incorporating elements of theater, dance, and multimedia into its performances. The group's founding members met while studying at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music. They were drawn together by a shared passion for chamber music and a desire to explore new ways of presenting classical music to audiences. In the early years of the ensemble, they performed primarily in small venues around Chicago, building a following through word of mouth and social media. One of the ensemble's early breakthrough performances was a collaboration with the Chicago-based theater company Lookingglass Theatre. The group created a multimedia production of Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale," which combined live music with puppetry, dance, and video projections. The production was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Fifth House Ensemble as a leading innovator in the Chicago arts scene. Since then, the ensemble has gone on to perform at major venues and festivals across the United States and abroad. They have collaborated with a wide range of artists and organizations, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. They have also commissioned and premiered numerous new works by contemporary composers, including Dan Visconti, Stacy Garrop, and Caleb Burhans. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was a collaboration with the Chicago-based hip-hop artist Common. The group created a new arrangement of Common's song "The Corner," which they performed with the rapper at the Ravinia Festival in 2014. The performance was widely praised for its innovative fusion of classical and hip-hop music, and it helped to bring Fifth House Ensemble to a wider audience. In addition to its performances, Fifth House Ensemble is also committed to education and community outreach. The group has developed a number of educational programs for students of all ages, including workshops, residencies, and interactive performances. They have also worked with a variety of community organizations, including hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters, to bring classical music to underserved populations. Over the years, Fifth House Ensemble has received numerous awards and accolades for its work. In 2012, the group was named the Emerging Ensemble of the Year by Chamber Music America. They have also been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council, and the MacArthur Foundation. In 2018, the ensemble was named the Ensemble-in-Residence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music. Today, Fifth House Ensemble continues to push the boundaries of classical music, exploring new ways of engaging audiences and collaborating with artists from a wide range of genres and disciplines. With its innovative approach and commitment to education and community outreach, the group has established itself as one of the most exciting and dynamic ensembles in the classical music world.

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