flutist: performer, instructor, and designer based in los angeles, california.
Catherine Baker is a very special flutist! She has all of the “Flute Bases” covered. Great sound, dazzling technique, and stellar musicianship”.
- Jim Walker, Former Principal Flute
LA Philharmonic
Catherine Baker is the principal flutist of the Bakersfield Symphony and Orchestra Santa Monica. She is established in Los Angeles as a versatile artist with projects spanning orchestral performance, studio recording, chamber music, education, and graphic design. Catherine was the First Place Winner of the 2018 Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia Young Artist Competition and the Second Place Winner of the 2019 National Flute Association Orchestral Audition and Masterclass Competition. As a founding member of the Cardinal Winds Quintet/Sextet, she competed in the 2015 Plowman Chamber Music Competition Finals in Columbia, Missouri; the 2015 Coleman Chamber Competition Finals in Pasadena, California; and the 2015 Fischoff National Chamber Music Association Competition Semi-finals in South Bend, Indiana. The group was honored to receive the Grand Prize at the 2015 Plowman Chamber Music Competition.
Mrs. Baker previously held the principal flute chairs with the American Youth Symphony and the YMF Debut Orchestra, where she received the Special Recognition Award, earning a featured solo performance with the orchestra under the direction of Roger Kalia. Catherine has performed with ensembles throughout Southern California including the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, Muse-ique, Riverside Philharmonic, San Bernardino Symphony, and Redlands Symphony. Catherine’s artistry has also taken her nationally, performing with the New World Symphony in Florida, the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts, and the South Dakota Symphony. Equally at home in the recording studio, Catherine has performed flute, piccolo, alto flute, and bass flute for numerous recording projects, including video games, documentaries, and short films. Mrs. Baker’s primary instructors include Jim Walker, Marianne Gedigian, Jennifer Keeney, Sydney Carlson, and Sandra Benke.
Mrs. Baker is passionate about developing musicianship and confidence in young flutists. She maintains a private teaching studio, coaches for Musicians at Play, and serves as the Flute Teaching Artist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Orchestra program at the Heart of Los Angeles. Catherine’s students have consistently been given honors in regional, statewide, and national performances/competitions/auditions. Beyond performance, Catherine has fused her interest in graphic design with music by designing posters, invitations, podcast art, programs, specifically the cover art for revolutionary method books by Dr. Timothy Hagen, published by Owl Glass Music. She also enjoys baking pies, walking her poodles, and exercising on a regular basis!
“I have had the pleasure of working with Catherine Baker for two years at the Neighborhood Music School. Her primary role is as a flute teacher. Catherine not only pours musical knowledge into her students, but she instills in them a love of the instrument, and gives them a sense of confidence. I have seen her students grow in talent and ability at a pace that seems nearly unbelievable. Their smiles and pride when they have mastered a piece are some of the most heart-warming moments I’ve experienced. Catherine not only teaches, she performs, collaborating with other teaching artists to participate in our Concerts in the Parlor. She is truly gifted in her instrument. She plays with passion, beauty and emotion, drawing the audience in and sending chills down the spines of the listeners. Amazingly, Catherine’s creative gifts extend beyond music. She is a talented graphic designer, who shares her abilities with the school by designing beautiful invitations and brochures. In all that she does, whether playing, teaching, or designing, Catherine brings a strong sense of excellence, collaboration, and creativity.”