Après

Jacqueline Pollauf, harp
Jeremiah Baker, saxophone

Lauded as “memorable and absorbing,” (Operatically Inclined) the duo Après seeks to explore and expand classical music through their unusual instrument combination and engaging musical style. Saxophonist Jeremiah Baker and harpist Jacqueline Pollauf first met as fellow students at the Peabody Conservatory. Après was formed in 2007 when the two came together as faculty members at the Maryland Conservatory of Music.

Après has performed in and around the Baltimore region, including performances at the Peabody Conservatory and the Harford Community College. Performances during the 2008 – 2009 season include the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland and An Die Musik in Baltimore, Maryland.

Après is actively engaged in expanding the saxophone and harp repertoire. Together they are working with composers including Keith Kramer, Charles Halka, Ying-Chen Kao, and Kathleen Bater to commission new works. In addition, Baker and Pollauf frequently collaborate on transcriptions to increase their diverse repertoire – everything from Bach to Britten.

Jeremiah Baker is the winner of numerous prizes and scholarships, including the Sound of America Solo Competition in Orlando, Florida and the Young Soloist Competition at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. Recent performances include extensive recitals on the East Coast, a performance with flutist Marina Piccinini at Alice Tully Hall in New York City, and in a performance of Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances with conductor Gustav Meier. Jeremiah Baker is currently completing his Master's Degree in the exclusive Five Year BM/MM program at the Peabody Conservatory, where he studies with Gary Louie.

Award-winning harpist Jacqueline Pollauf made her solo debut at age sixteen with the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra. She enjoys an active and varied musical career appearing frequently as a soloist, as well as a chamber and ensemble musician. Pollauf's debut solo album, Bouquet, will be released in 2008. Pollauf holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Ruth K. Inglefield.