Katherine Baker is principal flute with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Her first principal position was with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, a job she began in 1998 after completing her studies with William Bennett at the Royal Academy of Music. In 2004, she was appointed first flute of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, a post she held until 2018, during which time she made numerous solo appearances both in concert and on recordings.

Katherine has always enjoyed a varied career and regularly appears as guest principal with many of the UK’s leading orchestras including the London Symphony, Philharmonia, BBC Philharmonic and English Chamber orchestras and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

Despite the demands on her time that orchestral playing makes, Katherine tries to devote as much time as she can to chamber music. She has performed at festivals and music societies across the UK and in Europe, either as a member of 
 several well-known ensembles or in a solo capacity.

Katherine has always enjoyed teaching and she is currently professor of flute at the Royal Academy of Music.