Cellist
Esther Rogers Baker is a classically trained cellist who plays experimental and contemporary music, has a passion for Bach and traditional chamber music, and enjoys improvising with musicians and artists from different backgrounds and genres. In addition to traditional performance, 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, Arnold Steinhardt, the Lionsgate Trio, Lee trio, Ives Quartet, and the Ying Quartet.
Esther received her Masters in Chamber Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and 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. In 2016, 2017, 2018 Esther performed with Loon Lake Live chamber music series.  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." 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: Click on the underlined composers to visit their websites. 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 |