Instrument/Department: Piano
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2024
Pianist Catharine Baek was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where she began lessons at age 6 at a community music school, like Hochstein. She earned her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music under Dr. Alan Chow, and her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under Dr. Ran Dank.
Catharine has performed as a concerto soloist with The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra at Severance Hall, Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) Orchestra, and BlueWater Chamber Orchestra. She is an avid collaborator and chamber musician, performing in the Halcyon Trio – which was selected for Eastman’s Honors Chamber Music Recital – as well as working with vocalists and other instrumentalists in duo settings. Her large ensemble experiences include Eastman’s Musica Nova, CCM’s Wind Ensemble, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, wind symphonies, choirs, and pit orchestras.
As an educator, Catharine aims to build community through music as a tool for self-expression, advocacy, and social change. Most recently, she has coached rock bands at Girls Rock! Rochester, a local non-profit encouraging access to music-making for young girls and LGBTQIA+ youth, and has taught private lessons at MYCincinnati, an El Sistema program providing free music education to the community of Price Hill in Cincinnati, OH.
In addition to being a performer and educator, Catharine also serves as the Development Coordinator at Hochstein and is passionate about not only making music but also building the avenues to make music more accessible for all as an administrator.
More About Catharine Baek
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Why the arts matter: Everyone deserves the chance for play in their lives. The arts provide everyone – children and adults – the freedom and enjoyment to play, to explore their abilities, to express themselves, and to inspire each other.
My favorite local restaurant/dish: The jajangmyeon at Seoul House
Favorite Composer: Maurice Ravel
What people would be surprised to know about me: I was a percussionist for 7 years, and almost studied it alongside piano in university!