Sean Baker is a collaborative pianist based in New Jersey and has been involved with the Northern Lights Music Festival since 2020.

Mr. Baker graduated summa cum laude with his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (2024) and his Master of Music in Organ Performance (2025) from Rowan University, under the tutelage of Professor Veda Zuponcic and Dr. Gordon Turk.

At the state level, Mr. Baker has represented New Jersey in MTNA’s Young Artist competition (2020, 2021), placed first in NJMTA’s Young Musicians Competition (2020, 2022), and received first place in the solo division for YPCNJ with a performance at Carnegie Hall in 2019.

During his undergraduate studies, Mr. Baker worked as the collaborative pianist for Rowan University’s Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Christopher Thomas (2020-2024), as well as playing for many of his peer’s juries and recitals. Mr. Baker is the recipient of several awards distributed by Rowan University’s College of Performing Arts, including the Presser Foundation Award, the Jacobs Music Steinway Award, and the Clarke Pfleeger Award for Musical Excellence.

Mr. Baker currently serves as the organist at First Presbyterian Church in Merchantville, NJ, where he also hosts chamber music recitals to engage with his community in a meaningful way. Mr. Baker aspires to pursue his doctoral studies in collaborative piano to continue developing his skills in the near future, and is thrilled to be working alongside with the OA Faculty this summer.