Xander Baker

Private Cello Lessons in Amsterdam 

Hi! I’m Xander, a cellist and cello teacher in Amsterdam. I love teaching, whether you are just starting out, or are a more advanced cellist looking for ways to take your playing to the next level. I will encourage you to keep taking that next step to get the best out of your instrument! 

Trial Lesson 

Interested in starting the cello for the first time, or picking up where you left off? Looking for motivating cello lessons for your child? You’re welcome to visit me in my home in Amsterdam West, or I can come to you. I offer lessons in English or Dutch, and my first priority is always to create a friendly and positive atmosphere. 

All Ages

I have plenty of experience teaching children and adults, and regardless of your musical experience I shall invite you to have fun with the cello! 

First Time?

First steps will include comfortable posture and bow-hold, relaxed sound production, good left-hand technique, and starting to read music. I also work a lot with musical games for young children, which gets their ears learning without them realising! 

Children and Cello

Through musical games and familiar songs, your child will explore the cello, gradually learn to read music, and playfully develop musical ear and basic musical skills. We’ll play fun duets in the lessons!

Back for more? 

If you’re already an intermediate or advanced student, then I'd love to help you further develop your musicality and expressiveness on the cello. Using etudes, targeted exercises, duets, recital pieces, and orchestral and chamber music parts, we'll work on good technique, a beautiful, warm cello sound, and you'll continually discover new possibilities of your instrument. I will provide a framework of repertoire to help you advance. 

Repertoire 

The cello has one of the most fantastic solo and chamber music repertoires out there, and we can work on whatever composer or style you like. The intense romantic repertoire by composers like Rachmaninoff, Fauré, Schumann and Brahms is gorgeous and great fun to play, but Bach will always have a special place in my heart. 

Have you got the guts? 

In my performing life, I almost always play on historical instruments, which means using gut strings, different bows, and an ‘informed’ approach to performing music in the style from the time it was written. If this is something you’re interested in I would love to help you explore the amazing and ear-opening world of historical performance. 

About Me 

I first picked up a (small!) cello at the age of 8 and haven’t stopped playing since. When I got serious about becoming a professional I went to Manchester to study modern cello (Simon Turner), then in 2019 I moved to the Netherlands to focus on period instrument performance. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Baroque cello at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Viola de Hoog), then stayed to complete my Master’s in viola da gamba (Mieneke van der Velden). I also play various other kinds of early bass instruments, like violone, Viennese bass and bass violin.