Amy Baker, Principal Bassoon

Butler County native Amy Baker began her study on the bassoon while in high school under the tutelage of Mark Pancerev. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with David McGill, Ronald Phillips, and John Clouser. She continued her musical education at Cleveland State University, studying with Jonathan Sherwin. Ms. Baker graduated with her Master of Music degree with a concentration in music education from Eastern Kentucky University. 

Ms. Baker is an active chamber music performer in the tri-state area. She is a member of the woodwind quintet Cincopation, which has performed in various venues in the Pittsburgh area, including the Westmoreland Symphony Chamber Music Series and the Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch series. She appeared as a guest artist with the Academy Chamber Ensemble in 2019, performing Mozart’s Sonata for Bassoon and Cello, Franz Krommer’s Quartet for Bassoon and Strings, and Willy Hess’ Quintet for Contrabassoon and Strings. That series was featured on WQED-FM’s Performance in Pittsburgh.

Amy Baker, Principal Bassoon
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Also active as an orchestral musician, Ms. Baker is the second bassoonist with the Westmoreland Symphony and principal bassoonist with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra and the Academy Chamber Orchestra. She serves as principal contrabassoonist with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and has performed with many other orchestras and ensembles in the area. Ms. Baker is passionate about teaching and has served as the bassoon instructor at Slippery Rock University since 2010. In addition to maintaining a private studio, she has also served on the faculty of Seton Hill University and the Cleveland Music School Settlement Summer Music Camp.

Ms. Baker is also a registered nurse and is an advocate for musicians’ health and wellness. She received her nursing diploma from UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chatham University, and her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from Capella University.  Ms. Baker’s areas of study include musicians’ health and performance anxiety management.  She is a member of the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) where she serves as a PAMA Ambassador, and she has earned her PAMA Certification in the Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine.  She is a nurse coordinator in gynecologic oncology at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh and is an oncology-certified nurse.