Cellist
Esther Rogers Baker is a classically trained cellist who plays experimental and contemporary music, has a passion for teaching and performing chamber music, and enjoys improvising with musicians and artists from all different backgrounds and genres. In addition to being a classical performer, Esther is an innovative leader who asks questions about process, intent, and progress.
Chamber Music
As a student Esther has been fortunate to have the extraordinary opportunity to work with and perform alongside Miami String Quartet, Laura Bossert, Scott Kluksdahl, Jodi Levitz, Jean-Michele Fonteneau, Manahem Pressler and Axel Strauss. Esther has participated in master classes with Laurence Dutton, Pamela Frank, Bonnie Hampton, Ani Kavafian, George Papich, Victor Rosenbaum, Arnold Steinhardt, David Ying, Ying Quartet, Julia Lichten, Lions Gate Trio, Lee Trio, Steven Isserlis, Art Landey, Ives Quartet, Belcea Quartet, Rachel Barton Pine, Miro Quartet, and Matt Albert.
Esther received her undergraduate degree as a member of 20/20, the Hartt School's scholarship program for chamber music focused musicians followed by a Masters degree in Chamber Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. While she was studying at the Frost School Esther became a Mancini fellow and a member of the Mancini String Quartet coaching under Jeffrey Zeigler. Esther is interested in sharing the historical tradition of the classical chamber music repertoire while developing her own style of chamber music guidance. Coaching chamber music is one of Esther’s favorite things to do.  Click on the photograph for FULL RESUME |
Studio RecordingEsther enjoys the challenge of working in the studio and has recorded both composed and improvised tracks for composers/songwriters/arrangers.
New Music
"Working on a piece which is still “wet” and learning how a composer thinks about their work has developed my approach to older music and continues to expand on what I have to offer as a musician." 2024 Collaborations with Student Composers SUNY Geneseo 2023 Collaborations with Student Composers Frost School of Music 2019 Iva Bittova Duo Performance 2018 Juliana Hodkinson USA Premier 'All That We Cannot Say' 2017 Bakery Concert Series for new music and improvisation 2017 USA premier 'Seven Poems of Stillness' by Hilary Tann 2011 Kazoo and vocals for 'Central Market' by Tyondai Braxton, Barbican Centre with the BBC symphony and Tyondai Braxton Band. 2011 Electronically modified cello tracks for 'Kreuz und Krone' by Mathew King. Premiered at the Southbank Center, London, UK with the Britten Sinfonia. 2009 Alphonse Izzo commission exploring the role and stereotypes of the cello resulting in the piece 'A Madcap Laughed'. 2007 Performance of Kurt Rhode's String trio which won first place for chamber composition and was awarded a sponsored performance at the International Society of Bassists, Kalamazoo MI. 2007 Coaching and Performance of String Quartet No.1 by Robert Carl Composers with whom Esther has worked: Gene Baker Chris Bartholomew Craig Biondi Ed Blunt Tyondai Braxton Robert Carl Alphonse Izzo Devin Farney Cheyenne Henderson Matthew King Kurt Rhode Will Northlich-Redmond Craig Sandford Michael Schelle Jerrod Sommerfeldt Ken Steen Hilary Tann |