J. Bradley Baker Named Director of the Maryland Opera Studio

An in-demand opera conductor, pianist and coach, Baker hopes to establish new partnerships across campus and in the local community.

By TJ Wagman ’20

Renowned opera conductor, pianist and coach J. Bradley Baker has been appointed director of the University of Maryland School of Music’s (SOM) Maryland Opera Studio (MOS), effective July 1, 2025. 

Baker will provide artistic vision and leadership for MOS, a graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in opera, serving as coach and conductor for each of the studio’s productions. He will also look for opportunities to establish new partnerships across campus and in the local and global community that contextualize the stories told through opera.

“The Maryland Opera Studio has a long history of providing focused and relevant training for promising opera artists,” said Baker, “I look forward to continuing this fantastic tradition and working with my new colleagues and MOS students to produce impactful art that broadens the community reach of the operatic form.”

An in-demand opera conductor and collaborative pianist, Baker has worked with opera companies and festivals throughout the United States, Italy, France and Canada, including the Lyric Opera of Orange County, Opera Naples and Chicago Summer Opera. Since 2023, Baker has been principal coach for the internationally acclaimed Glimmerglass Festival. As part of this role, Baker coaches and mentors resident artist singers and pianists, presents pre-concert lectures and serves as pianist for multiple festival events.

“Brad Baker is an exceptional vocal coach and conductor who will encourage our students on their musical journey and provide them with concrete tools for success,” said Assistant Professor of Voice Teri Bickham, who served as chair for the search committee that selected Baker. “His understanding of the opera world, love of the art and support of young artists is inspiring.”

Equally dedicated as a music educator, Baker is currently the director of keyboard studies at Tarleton State University, where he gives leadership to the piano and collaborative piano areas. He also acts as collaborative pianist, and in 2022 was recognized with the University Junior Faculty Award for his demonstrated excellence in teaching and service to the university. Prior to his position at Tarleton State University, Baker was director of keyboard studies at Tabor College, where he also served as the music director for the opera program and founded the Bach Keyboard Festival and Competition. Baker has also held appointments at the University of Alabama, University of Texas at Tyler, Stillman College and Judson College.

In addition to his endeavors as an educator and coach, Baker is committed to making music more accessible and inclusive, reflecting his belief that opera is for everyone. In 2016, he founded the Kansas Piano Trio, an ensemble with a mission of performing repertoire by underrepresented composers in rural Midwestern communities. Baker also serves as the executive director and music director of Music On Site, Inc., an opera company based in central Kansas that aims to increase the accessibility of opera throughout the region by producing engaging performances at low or no cost for underserved communities. 

Baker received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Alabama, his Master of Music in piano performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from North Dakota State University.