Meet the team
David Klassen
Executive Director | 📧 DKlassen@steinbacharts.ca
David Klassen brings nearly 20 years of experience as a university educator and professional musician to the Steinbach Arts Council. He earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Minnesota. David has taught at various universities in Manitoba, notably at the Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba. Throughout his teaching career, his students have been accepted into undergraduate and graduate music programs in both Canada and the United States, including prestigious institutions such as the University of Victoria, University of Alberta, University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, McGill University, Boston Conservatory, and the New York Film Institute.
As a soloist, he has been described as “Charismatic and Enthralling” by Opera Canada, “Rich” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Winnipeg Free Press, and “A Vocal Powerhouse” by CBC. David has performed with professional organizations such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Saskatoon Opera, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, captivating a Canada Day audience of thirty thousand with his rendition of Rossini’s Largo al Factotum.
David is hailed as a “visionary” in his hometown of Steinbach and is recognized as one of the region’s leading contributors to the arts. His passion lies in creating opportunities for young people, especially those interested in honing their artistic skills. In 2015, David was nominated for CBC’s “Manitoba Future 40” award for his impactful work across the province.
While serving as the Executive Director of the Steinbach Arts Council, David remains active in directing, performing, teaching, and adjudicating across Western Canada. He also oversees the piano practice of his two children, Anika and Ezra, and admires their musical talents alongside his wife, Tara.
Sydney Rempel
Development Coordinator | 📧 Sydney@steinbacharts.ca
Sydney has lived in the Steinbach area her entire life and has been a member of the Steinbach Arts Council since 2017. While she does not possess musical or artistic talents herself, her time at the arts council has cultivated her appreciation for art and music. She actively engages in the community through sports like spikeball, ultimate frisbee, and hockey, as well as volunteering at her church. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Manitoba, driven by her passion for the environment. Sydney shares her eco-friendly habits of reducing and reusing with the SAC office. In addition to her environmental advocacy, she enjoys activities like reading, indulging in ice cream, and watching Netflix.
Tara Schellenberg
Performing Arts Coordinator | 📧 Tara@steinbacharts.ca
Tara Schellenberg has a deep passion for the performing arts and arts administration. After earning her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba, Tara dedicated years to working in visual effects and film production management at Frantic Films, Prime Focus, and Buffalo Gal Pictures. She is delighted to contribute to the arts community in her hometown of Steinbach. When she is not fulfilling her responsibilities at the Steinbach Arts Council, you can find her teaching piano, participating in various vocal ensembles in town, chasing after her children, or crocheting with a cat on her lap.
Cassandra Kornelsen
Manager of Community Programs | 📧 Cassandra@steinbacharts.ca
Cassandra Kornelsen brings nearly 15 years of experience in community programming to the Steinbach Arts Council, backed by her university and college education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba, a Professional Facilitator Certificate from the University of Winnipeg, and a Culinary Arts Certificate from Red River Community College. Cassandra returns to the Steinbach Arts Council with over 6 years of prior programming experience at the center, aiming to further serve the community.
Her passion lies in providing creative opportunities for individuals of all ages, especially those interested in expressing themselves through Culinary Arts. Cassandra has conducted numerous Culinary Classes in the community, showcasing her skills in creating exquisite cakes, desserts, and catering for various events. She participated in Cake Love 2011, engaging in advanced cake design and development workshops in Vancouver, BC.
As the Manager of Community Programs at the Steinbach Arts Council, Cassandra resides in Woodridge, MB with her husband and enjoys spending time with her 4 stepchildren. She is enthusiastic about flower and vegetable gardening, preserving food, raising chickens, landscaping, exploring farm-to-table concepts, and developing new recipes.
Camila Funes-Giesbrecht
Assistant Arts Instructor Coordinator | 📧 Camila@steinbacharts.ca
Growing up in Honduras, Cami developed a deep love for the arts from a young age. Her father, a music director for a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting underprivileged youth, instilled in her the belief that the arts have the potential to profoundly impact people’s lives. Whether it’s music, literature, theatre, or dance, Cami has always cherished the arts.
Upon relocating to Steinbach with her husband in 2020, Cami took on the role of Summer Arts Day Camp Director at the Steinbach Arts Council in the summer of 2022. Serving in this position for two years, she discovered her true calling. After completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Winnipeg in 2023, Cami decided to become the assistant arts instructor coordinator to assist in organizing the numerous exceptional programs and exhibits offered by The Steinbach Arts Council.
Cami’s dedication to helping others is a driving force in her life. She strongly believes in the transformative power of the arts to bring about positive change in her community, and she is determined to make a difference. In her leisure time, Cami enjoys being with her loved ones, traveling, reading, painting, and basking in the sunshine with her husband and their dog, Moose.
Angelica San Juan
Communication & Outreach Coordinator | 📧 Marketing@steinbacharts.ca
Angelica has lived in Steinbach for the past eight years. Before that, she grew up in a metropolitan city in the Philippines where she studied Communication Arts at the University of the Philippines. Pursuing her passion for a career in the communications and media industry, she furthered her education in Interactive Media Arts at ACC Brandon. From a young age, Angelica had a fondness for creative writing which later led her to explore various forms of storytelling. Presently, she possesses skills in diverse media fields including filmmaking, photography, graphic and web design, and social media.
During her college years, Angelica collaborated independently with entities such as the Brandon Wheat Kings, Manitoba directors and filmmakers, and local small businesses, taking on different roles.
Beyond her involvement with the Steinbach Arts Council, Angelica is a devoted mother and a strong advocate of gentle parenting and Montessori practices. In her leisure time, she enjoys playing Stardew Valley and The Sims 4, watching Netflix, and discovering new restaurants in the city. Angelica is characterized as a strong ISTJ in the Myers-Briggs personality assessment and fluctuates between being a Type 9 and a Type 1 in the Enneagram test.