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Director
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Travis Baker is considered to be one of the finest organists of his homeland.
His music tuition began at the age of seven with piano lessons. Having gained a Music Scholarship to Trinity Grammar School, he became a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, and from this came his interest in the pipe organ. He very soon became Assistant organist at the cathedral and began winning numerous awards and scholarships, several on more than one occasion, before gaining his B. Mus. (Performance) with Honours from the University of Melbourne in 2001. During this time he performed as soloist with an array of Australian orchestras and bands and performed at Melbourne’s Last Night of the Proms. For three years Travis was Director of Training Choirs for the Australian Children’s Choir and developed several teaching programmes for the children covering all aspects of musicianship.
After meeting concert organist Dame Gillian Weir at a summer school in Europe in 2001 Travis travelled to England the following year for an extensive study session with her. Now based in England, he continues to study with the world-renowned performer. His own recital career now takes him throughout the UK with a busy schedule of performances in the London area, the West Country and in the major cities in Scotland plus future engagements in mainland Europe, the Usa and Canada. He has also acted as organist accompanist for prestigious groups such as Kentish Opera and the Allegri Singers.
Since moving to the UK in July 2004 Travis has worked closely with Paul Farrington, one of Europe’s top Vocal Consultants. This has involved work both in London with workshops in Estill Voice Training Systems, of which he is a Certified Master Teacher, and in Ireland with TOSINI and the Charles Wood Summer Schools. His Estill work also takes him to New Zealand for the Estill courses and the Opera school and in this country he works with the YES Singers summer school. He now works with eminent voice coach Mary King as Assistant Director of Vocal Studies at the Millennium Dance 2000 School whilst also holding the post of Director of Music of both the Bromley Boy Singers, Kent and Bella Cora, Hertfordshire.
Along with his demanding recital schedule, voice coaching and choir directing Travis maintains a thriving private teaching practice and is Director of Music at St John the Evangelist, Palmers Green.
