Stephen Baker Named Director of Marketing for Sarasota Opera The classical pianist brings a diverse array of experience to the position.by BWW News Desk Sarasota Opera Executive Director Richard Russell has announced the appointment of Stephen Baker as Director of Marketing. Baker was most recently the Director of Marketing and Audience Development for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, a preeminent performance venue presenting Broadway musicals and top national and international performers. Baker has an extensive background promoting classical music and the performing arts, creating and implementing dynamic branding, marketing, and audience development campaigns. The California native studied piano performance at the Mannes College of Music in Manhattan, was a featured guest soloist with several symphony orchestras, and performed as a piano soloist with Academy Award-winning composers Elmer Bernstein and John Williams.