Violinist ELIZABETH BAKER, a Los Angeles native, has been a member of the LA Phil since 1987. During her tenure with the Phil she has appeared as soloist on several occasions; in 1992 performing Tippett’s Triple Concerto with LA Phil colleagues John Hayhurst and Barry Gold conducted by Andre Previn, in 1997 performing Janá?cek’s Violin Concerto conducted by Sian Edwards, and in 2006 performing Daveaux’s Sinfonia Concertante with colleague Kristine Whitson and conducted by Nicholas McGegan. All three performances were Los Angeles premieres and all were critically acclaimed.

Baker has been an advocate of contemporary music since her conservatory days. She has presented numerous West Coast and/or world premieres of works by composers such as Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, Don Davis, Vincent Plush, William Bolcom, Stephen Stucky, Donald Crockett, and Charles Amirkhanian, to name a few.

Baker also appears with her colleagues on the Philharmonic’s Chamber Music Society and Green Umbrella series. She was a member of the LA-based contemporary ensemble Xtet for 16 years and continues to perform throughout the Western United States with the Baroque ensemble Bach’s Circle. She is featured in recordings on the Hänssler Classic, Delos, New World, and Crystal Records labels.

Prior to joining the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Baker began her career as a member of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1977, winning an audition while still in graduate school. During her tenure with the SFSO she appeared frequently as soloist with orchestras in the Bay area as well as in recital and chamber music engagements. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory as a student of Andor Toth. Further study with Josef Gingold at Indiana University led to a Master of Music degree as well as a Performer’s Certificate. Baker served as adjunct faculty at the California Institute of the Arts from 1993 to 2005 and is now involved with the Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra Mentorship Program and Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA).