Three time finalist of the New England Conservatory Concerto Competition, finalist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra concerto competition, and winner of the Waltham Concerto Competition are distinctions that set Ben Baker apart from the ordinary high school student.

Baker, as well as being an exceptional student, excels and stands out as a musician. He has played the Cello since age five, and his awards mentioned above are only a few of many.

Baker’s decision to play the cello can be attributed to his mother’s request as well as his five-year-old mind. “My mom made me choose [an instrument], so I picked the cello because it was the biggest,” Baker said. However, he was not immediately or naturally gifted despite what people may think. “Everyone sounds terrible when they first start,” Baker says, “The sound that is produced by a beginner student resembles nails on a chalkboard.” He attributes his success with the cello to his ability to learn things fast rather than being naturally talented.

Baker’s determination is the other key component to his success as a musician. During the average school week, Baker plays his cello for approximately 20 hours. That’s four hours per day, or 1/6 of his entire day. On Saturdays he ventures to Boston to practice from 10 o’clock in the morning until 6 o’clock at night. That is eight hours on his day off from school, or 1/6 of his entire weekend.  As Baker puts it, “Practice makes, well, better.”

According to Baker, being an “avid cello player” is the biggest difference separating him from the average high school student. “I’m also a nerd…and I am probably a lot more open with my emotions than a lot of others because that is what I’m trained to do.” He deviates from the norm due to talent, but Baker is still an ordinary high school student at heart. Baker’s favorite band is Radiohead, and he enjoys spending time relaxing with friends just as any other teenager does.

As his high school career comes to an end, Baker will begin a new chapter in his life both as a musician and as a student. He will be attending the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester as a member of the class of 2016. “I plan to minor in something more academic,” he states, “but my focus will be on performance.” Baker emphasizes that he is open to any opportunity that best suits him, both college and beyond.

His passion for music drives Baker to pursue a career as a musician. “I know that music is not the money-making biz, but it’s all I think about,” he says. “I am always anxious to be playing some kind of music.” In a materialistic world obsessed with the amount of one’s salary, Baker is yet again an outlier. “Don’t get the wrong idea,” Baker urges, “One can have an all-around successful career in music, he just has to be proactive about the process of slipping into opportunities.”

If you have not been convinced about Baker’s determination, dedication, and desire yet, his last quote will: “I think I am one of the few students who walks the halls on autopilot while fantasizing about playing the cello in front of everyone who walks by.”