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Spencer Baker, D.M.A.
Collaborative Staff Pianist, Visiting Assistant Professor
Biography
Dr. Spencer Baker is a distinguished Las Vegas pianist, conductor and teacher. Spencer has been a soloist with several regional orchestras. While most of Spencer's solo appearances have centered in the Southwest, new engagements have taken him to Dallas, Washington DC, Disneyland, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Italy and China. He is in his eleventh season with Perform Opera in Italy in Mercatello sul Metauro, Italy as faculty collaborative pianist and assistant music director.
Dr. Baker is currently Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Music. Dr. Baker serves on the State Board of the Nevada Music Teachers Association as State President and was Past-President of the Las Vegas Music Teachers Association. In addition, he is a frequent pianist for Opera Las Vegas and Vegas City Opera.
Spencer recently was the invited guest conductor and pianist for Vegas City Opera’s production of Gianni Schicchi and The Face on the Barroom Floor. He is the pianist for the local Las Vegas chapter of Opera On Tap and was pianist for Opera Las Vegas’ West Coast premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek’s opera 27 at Art Square Theater. He was the pianist for L’elisir d’amore, Hansel and Gretel, Don Pasquale, and Tosca mainstage productions and pianist for Falstaff and La Boheme in Italy for the Musica é Musica festival in the province of Pesaro é Urbino. Opera credits with 51ԹϺ Opera Theater include Orpheus in the Underworld, Dido & Aeneas, La Divina, and Turn of the Screw. Dr. Baker has appeared in recital with the American Guild of Organists and is currently organist/pianist at University United Methodist Church.
Spencer served as immediate past Artistic Director for the GVPC:Live! concert series at Green Valley Presbyterian church; performed Schubert’s song cycle, Winterreise, with internationally acclaimed tenor, Mark Thomsen; accompanied a solo recital with opera star, Denyce Graves; and co-created an interactive children’s educational theater production entitled, “Mini Musical Masters”. Dr. Baker is in demand as an adjudicator for piano festivals and competitions. He recently held an artist in residency position at Truman State University (Missouri) and maintains an active teaching studio and solo performing career.
Baker earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in piano performance. Principal teachers include Dr. Jeffrey Shumway, Professor Carol Stivers and Dr. Mykola Suk.
For more information, please visit his website at