Katie Baird, a genre-defying violist and arts advocate, has established herself as an emerging leader among her generation of violists. Within the past two years, Katie was named the 2021-22 Presser Scholar, the Undergraduate Creative Achievement Award Winner, and The University of Arizona College of Fine Arts Outstanding Senior. With a passion for increasing accessibility through amplifying under-celebrated voices in classical music, she has collaborated with professors and librarians across the nation to launch the Underrepresented Composers Database. Housed on the American Viola Society website, this database contains 1,600+ works for viola written by BIPOC and women composers, 800+ of which Katie contributed through volunteer research. 

Katie recently graduated from The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music, where she obtained a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Molly Gebrian. During her studies, she served as principal viola for the Arizona Symphony Orchestra and the Desert Violas Viola Ensemble. She has also performed in masterclasses for renowned musical artists including Kim Kashkashian, Carol Rodland, Jeffrey Irvine, Lynne Ramsey, Susan Dubois, Sheila Browne, Hank Dutt, Ann Marie Brink, and Martha Katz. Some recent highlights include taking home 2nd Prize in the Collegiate Division of the American Viola Society Solo Competition, a performance of Jessica Meyer’s Hello at the American Viola Society Young Artist Concert Series, and an appearance at the 2022 Tucson Film Festival with a performance of L.A.-based composer George Sarah’s live score to the critically-acclaimed 1928 Silent Film ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc.’

The healing power of music has led Katie to Suite Melody Care, where she serves as the Arizona Chapter Lead. Through volunteer efforts, she organizes themed, interactive concerts for young Arizona artists and performs for audiences in hospitals, long term care facilities, and retirement residences. Katie also performs regularly at Tucson Medical Center, Southern Arizona's leading hospital, in collaboration with the Healing Arts Program, bringing soothing performances to patients, staff, and visitors.