M.A.C. Concert: Benjamin Baker

The Musical Advisory Council welcomes violinist Benjamin Baker to the Port Washington Public Library for a special performance. 

Benjamin Baker, a New Zealand native, has moved audiences around the world with his musicianship, with recent performances as far afield as Lebanon, Albania, Siberia, China, Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, and throughout the United Kingdom and the United States.

Since winning 1st Prize at the 2016 Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York and 3rd Prize at the Michael Hill Competition in New Zealand in 2017 Benjamin has established a strong international presence. Described by the New York Times as bringing ‘virtuosity, refinement and youthful exuberance’ to his debut at Merkin Concert Hall he is much sought after as soloist and chamber musician. 

Mr. Baker’s recording “The Last Rose of Summer” reached #22 on the charts in its first week and was featured on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3, where Baker appears regularly. In 2021 Delphian Records release his recording with pianist Daniel Lebhardt “1942” featuring works of Prokofiev, Copland and Poulenc. 

Ben’s love of dance and combining music and movement have led him to performances with the Royal New Zealand Ballet in “Les Lutin” based on Bazzini’s Caprice “La Ronde des Latin’s,” and as an ambassador for London Music Masters, he created and led a special project for young violinists with dancer Cheryl McChesney.  Ben is currently working on a new project titled “Sei Solo” which will feature Nico Muhly’s “A long Line’ for Violin and electronics featuring dancer and choreographer James Pett. 

Currently a resident of London, Benjamin Baker studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and with Natasha Boyarsky and Felix Andrievsky at the Royal College of Music, where he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Rose Bowl graduation prize. Benjamin plays on a Giovanni Grancino from 1694 on a generous loan from a Charitable Trust.

Sponsored by the Music Advisory Council.