2011-2012 Competition Winner – Ben Baker, cello

Ben Baker is a student of Eugene Kim’s at NEC Preparatory School. He began his cello studies at age four with the late Sheila Korzep, and has also studied with Kristen Miller, Nicole Johnson and Steven Doane. As a member of the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, he has toured Germany and the Czech Republic. Ben is an avid chamber musician, and has been featured in recital in Jordan Hall, at the Bay Chamber Festival, Hartwick College Music Festival, and at the Killington Music Festival, where he has spent the last two summers. Ben placed second in the NEC Prep concerto competition in 2010, and was the featured soloist with The Merrimack Valley Philharmonic in Sept. of 2011, as well as playing in the final round of the BSO Concerto Competition. He has performed in master classes with Lynn Chang, Allison Eldredge, Yoshi Akimoto, Marcus Thompson, John Ziarko, Max Levinson and The Boston Trio. Ben is an honors student and senior at Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury. He will be pursuing his studies this Fall as a cello performance major.