During the late 60s into the 70s while pursuing a schedule of solo concerts as a classical cellist, Rudnytsky also co-founded a rock and roll band, the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, together with Michael Kamen and Marty Fulterman (now known as Mark Snow), both also students at Juilliard. With its unique crossover between classical and rock music it became very successful with 6 albums released with major labels like Atlantic Records.
