B i o g r a p h y
Matt Baker is a British pianist from Bromley, Kent. He studied classical performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music with two acclaimed professors - Russian pianist Mikhail Kazakevich and British pianist Philip Fowke, and is currently mentored by his long-standing tutor and well-renowned Bulgarian concert pianist Lora Dimitrova.
Matt has won prizes at both the Bromley and Beckenham festivals and was awarded the Lewington Cup at the Yamaha International Summer School in 2015, gaining the opportunity of solo recitals at Yamaha Music London and Ripley Arts Centre. He was honoured to be presented with an award for outstanding achievement by the Jack Petchey Foundation, as nominated by his peers.
In his formative years, Matt had the opportunity to play as a pianist and saxophonist in the prestigious Bromley Youth Concert Band, going on tours abroad and performing with them at the Royal Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. He also has a passion for chamber music and collaborative performance and currently performs regularly in his piano duo with acclaimed British pianist Jane Wisely.
Matt enjoys performing a wide range of solo repertoire, which encompasses works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninov. He has a particular affinity with French music, playing a vast collection of works by Debussy, Ravel and Poulenc, and has received several masterclasses from eminent French pianist Pascal Rogé.
Matt has been fortunate to have lessons and masterclasses with many other outstanding pianists including Piers Lane, Penelope Roskell, Joanna McGregor, Noriko Ogawa, Melvyn Tan, Ji Liu and The Ivory Duo.
More recently, Matt has been performing regularly as a Classical Guest Entertainer for Fred Olsen and P&O Cruise Lines, both as a soloist and as a duo with singer Roger Paterson (Tenor). He has also worked with the Beckenham Concert Band as guest conductor, having studied at the ‘London Conduting Academy’ directed by Denise Ham.
Aside from performing and conducting, Matt is keen to pass on his knowledge to others and is a committed piano teacher, working as a Licensed Piano Tutor for Bromley Youth Music Trust as well as privately, teaching both children and adults alike.
