Biography

Andy Evan Cohen (born in 1973 in Miami, Florida) has written music in a wide variety of styles for a wide variety of media. He has composed classical instrumental works for orchestra and chamber groups, jazz pieces for radio airplay, music and sound design for dance and theatrical performances, and songs for rock and pop bands. His compositions have been performed by such groups as the Minnesota Orchestra and he has written music for PBS TV and United Nations Radio. He has also written music for symphonic band and Jewish-themed works for performances in Synagogues.

His theatrical compositions have been performed in numerous venues in New York City and in the Northeastern U.S. region. His works have been played in such venues as Lincoln Center, Fordham University, The Public Theater, off-Broadway at Theatre Row, 59E59, La Mama, HERE, the Ohio Theatre, Theater for the New City, Expanded Arts, and the New York International Fringe Festival, where he was a 2000 "Excellence" Award Winner.

Recent projects have included the original musicals Charlie Chang and the Mysterious Salami (which won the "Golden Pineapple" award for "worst musical" as part of the 2008 Bad Musicals Festival), The Green Manifesto, and Ripcords (with book and lyrics by Anne Berlin); Kabbalah and Mountain Jews with the Jewish Theater of New York; music direction and sound installation for a multi-media performance project in Werdenberg, Switzerland; sound design for several productions at Luna Stage (Montclair, NJ) and at the Terry Schreiber Acting Studio (including Balm in Gilead, a 2011 NYIT Award Nominee for Sound Design and Winner for Outstanding Production of a Play); scores for the Drama League's Directors Fest and the Chekhov Now! Festival; and the dance score Taro for the Mariana Bekerman Dance Company at the Joyce Theatre in SOHO.

In addition to composing music, Andy also music directs plays and musicals, and performs on piano, synthesizers and other electronic keyboards (including the Lumiano), guitar, bass, mandolin, trumpet, bagpipes, percussion, and more unusual instruments like bamboo flutes and vintage 1980's drum machines. He currently resides in Brooklyn (Cobble Hill) and is working on several original projects, including musicals and classical commissioned works.

Resume

Music for Theater / Music Director / Sound Designer / Classical Works / Jazz, Pop, and Other Works /

Education and Work Experience / Special Skills / Contacts / Photo Gallery

Original Music for Theater

• She's Of A Certain Age, by Susan Charlotte, directed by Chris Hart and Tony Marsellis. Composer of original music (also sound designer). Off-Broadway at the Beckett Theater on Theatre Row (NYC) (May-June 2012).
• Revolution!, book and lyrics by Anne Berlin, directed by Valentina Fratti. Robert Moss Theatre as part of Planet Connections Theater Festival (June 2010).
• The Green Manifesto, book and lyrics by Anne Berlin, directed by Valentina Fratti. New York International Fringe Festival (Minetta Lane Theater) (August 2009).
• Love Stinks, a song-cycle / cabaret piece with book and lyrics by Anne Berlin, directed by Valentina Fratti. Public Theatre (Shevi Theater as part of the 2009 Summer Play Festival.) (July 2009).
• The Little Drummer Boy and Rocky's First Christmas, book and lyrics by Anne Berlin, directed by Valentina Fratti. Staged reading as part of Emerging Artists Theatre "Well Noted Shorts" program (TADA Theatre, NYC) (May 2009).
• Pocket Change, a short musical-comedy piece about the 2009 financial crisis, with book and lyrics by Anne Berlin, directed by Valentina Fratti. Performed as part of the Shortened Attention Span Festival in the Players Theatre Loft (NYC). (March 2009).
• Mountain Jews, book and lyrics by Tuvia Tenenbom, produced by the Jewish Theater of New York at the Triad Theater (NYC). (November 2008-February 2009).
• Ripcords, with book and lyrics by Anne Berlin, directed by Gregg Wiggins, NY International Fringe Festival (NYC). (August 2008).
• Charlie Chang and The Mysterious Salami, with book and lyrics by Anne Berlin, directed by Tony Spinoza. WINNER, "Golden Pineapple" award for "worst musical" as part of the Bad Musicals Festival, NY Artists Unlimited (NYC). (July-August 2008).
• The Tragedie of Macbeth, directed by Charles Gerber and produced at the Workshop Theater (NYC). (January 2007).
• Niya Tey Soung, by David M. Mead, directed by Arian Blanco, produced at the Workshop Theater (NYC). (June-July 2006).
• Sideways Stories from Wayside School, by John Olive, adapted from the stories by Louis Sachar, produced by the New Acting Company at the Children's Aid Society Theater in Greenwich Village, NYC, directed by Stephen Michael Rondel. (April-May 2006).
• Kabbalah, book and lyrics by Tuvia Tenenbom, produced by the Jewish Theater of New York at the Triad Theater (NYC). (November-December 2005).
• Jane Ho, written by John Pollatta, directed by Arian Blanco, produced by the Hudson Exploited Theatre Company at the Lion Theatre on Theatre Row. (November 2005).
• The Cherry Orchard: Firs' Dream, directed and adapted by Sonoko Kawahara, produced at the Connelly Theater (NYC) as part of the Chekhov Now! festival. (October 2004).
• Mrs. Warren's Profession (G. B. Shaw), directed by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, produced at the Looking Glass Theatre (NYC) (Feb.-March 2003)
• Right Beside The Cockroach Hall of Fame, original 10-minute comic musical written in collaboration with Elizabeth Levy, performed by Raw Impressions Musical Theater Group at La Mama (NYC) (January 2003).
• Cooper Savage, written by Bash Halow, directed by Blake Lawrence, produced by Emerging Artists Theatre; West End Theatre (NYC) (June-July 2002.)
• Glamour, written by John O'Keefe, produced by Undermain Theater; composer of original music and sound designer, Ohio Theatre (NYC) (April 2002.)
• Here I Go, One-Act original opera/musical (book and lyrics by Thaddeus Strassenberger) about 9/11; staged reading at La Mama, etc. by Raw Impressions Musical Theater Group (February 2002).
• Radio Radio, Old School Theater Company, staged workshop in February, 2002; additional performances at 2002 NYC Fringe Festival.
• Preview of Murder, Old School Theater Company, NYC Fringe Festival. Composer of original music (played live), pianist, music director (August 2001). Additional performances at Orlando (FL) Fringe Festival (May 2002).
• The Legendary St. Vincent Design, Wings Theater (NYC). Composer of incidental music, sound designer (July-August 2001).
• A Streetcar Named Desire, Northern Stage Company (White River Junction, VT). Sound Designer/Composer of original music (2000).
• The City Wears a Slouch Hat, Old School Theater Company, NYC Fringe Festival. Music director, conductor, composer of additional music. (2000) See under listing for Music Director.
• One Must Do What One Must Do, drag-cabaret at La Mama, etc. starring Lance Cruce and Chris Tanner. Composer of Original Songs, Music Director, Pianist/Accompanist (1999).
• What We Don't Confess, The Producers' Club, Tony Vellela (playwright), Gary Bernstein, Roger Alan Gindi (producers). Composer of incidental music (1998).
• The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Actors' Company Theater. Composer of incidental Music and Music Director/Pianist (1995).
• Play On!, You Are Here! Productions. Incidental Music (1995).

Sound Design Work

• Incendiary Agents, by Jack Karp, directed by Peter Jensen. Produced by Nylon Fusion at the New Ohio Theatre (NYC) (March 2013)
• The Austerity of Hope, by Dan Fingerman, directed by Daniel Dinero. Abington Arts (June Havoc Theatre) (NYC) (October-November 2012)
• Doubt, by John Patrick Shanley, directed by Peter Jensen. Terry Schrieber Studio (NYC) (October-November 2012).
• New York Nuts 7, an evening of short plays (several different playwrights and directors) from the Aching Dogs Theatre Company. Hudson Guild Theatre (NYC) (November 2012).
• Playing With Fire, an adaptation of August Strindberg's play by The Private Theatre; directed by John Gould Rubin. The Box (off-Broadway nightclub/cabaret venue, NYC). Also FOH sound mixer (prerecorded cues and 14 wireless mics). (August 2012).
• Listen! The River, by Robin Rice Lichtig, directed by Tracy Bersley. 59E59 Theaters (NYC); additional performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (July-August 2012).
• Ticket To Eternity, by Matthew Ethan Davis, directed by Javier Perez-Karam. Cherry Lane Studio Theater (FringeNYC) (August 2012).
• Black Milk, by Vassily Sigarev, translated by Sasha Dugdale, directed by Michel Hausmann. Off-Broadway at the East 13th St. Theatre (Classic Stage Company, NYC) (July-August 2012).
• Falling Awake, by Matthew Ethan Davis, directed by Adyana De La Torre. Dorothy Strelsin Theatre as part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival (NYC) (July-August 2012).
• She's Of A Certain Age, by Susan Charlotte, directed by Chris Hart and Tony Marsellis. Off-Broadway at the Beckett Theater on Theatre Row (NYC) (May-June 2012).
• Mahalla, by The Anthropologists, directed by Melissa Moschitto. Part of the Jewish Plays Project at the 14th St. Y theater (NYC) (June 2012).
• The Shelter Presents: ART, 4 short plays written & directed by members of The Shelter Theatre Company. Flamboyan Theater (CVS Theaters in the Lower East Side) (NYC) (April 2012).
• The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Terry Schreiber, Terry Schrieber Studio (NYC) (Feb.-April 2012).
• Fairy Tale, 5 short plays (several different playwrights and directors) from The Shelter Theatre Company. 45th Street Theater (NYC) (December 2011).
• New York Nuts 6, an evening of short plays (several different playwrights and directors) from the Aching Dogs Theatre Company. Hudson Guild Theatre (NYC) (November 2011).
• Lobby Hero, by Kenneth Lonergan, directed by Peter Jensen, Terry Schrieber Studio (NYC) (Fall 2011).
• You Never Can Tell, by George Bernard Shaw, directed by Robert Verlaque, Terry Schrieber Studio (NYC) (May-June 2011).
• Night Windows, three short plays inspired by a painting by Edward Hopper, Shelter Productions at the WorkShop Theater (NYC) (May 2011).
• The Changing Room, by David Storey, directed by Terry Schreiber, Terry Schrieber Studio (NYC) (Feb.-March 2011).
• Balm in Gilead, by Lanford Wilson, directed by Peter Jensen, Terry Schrieber Studio (NYC) (Fall 2010). Nominated for Outstanding Sound Design and Winner for Outstanding Production of a Play at the 2011 NYIT Awards.
• International Opera Project: Sommernacht Fraktal at Schloss Werdenberg, a multi-media installation art project at Werdenberg Castle in Switzerland. (Fall 2010).
• The Man in Room 306, by Craig Allen Edwards, directed by Cheryl Katz, 59E59 Theatre (NYC, 2010); also at Luna Stage (Montclair, NJ) (April-May 2008).
• Joking Apart, by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Peter Jensen, Terry Schrieber Studio (NYC) (May-June 2010).
• A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Katrin Hilbe, Michael Chekhov Studio (NYC) (May 2010).
• Danton's Death, translated and directed by Katrin Hilbe, Many Tracks Production (NYC) (December 2009).
• Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, directed by Cat Parker, Terry Schrieber Studio (NYC) (October 2009).
• The Man in the Newspaper Hat, by Hayley Heaton, directed Katrin Hilbe, 45th Street Theatre (NYC) (March-April 2009).
• Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue, by Quiara Allegria Hughes, directed by Katerine Kovner, Luna Stage (Montclair, NJ) (January-February 2008).
• Little Beasts, by Jeanne Marshall, directed by Jane Mandel, Luna Stage (Montclair, NJ) (April-May 2007).
• Honor and the River by Anton Dudley, directed by Nancy Robillard, Luna Stage (Montclair, NJ). (February 2007).
• It's A Hit!, a maniacally melodramatic murder mystery musical by Beth Saulnier, David Weinstein, and Melissa Levis. Village Theatre (NYC International Fringe Festival) (NYC) (August 2006).
• Falling Petals, written by Ben Ellis, directed by Mark Armstrong. Wings Theatre (NYC) (May 2005).
• The Drama League Directors Project, four short plays by Shirley Lauro, Anton Chekhov, Carol Churchill, and Adam Rapp; directed by Laurie Sales, Stephanie Gilman, Hayley Finn, and Shelley Butler. Produced by the Drama League at the 45th Street (Primary Stages) Theatre (December 2004).
• Beware the Man Eating Chicken!, written by Henry Meyerson, directed by John Peterson. New York International Fringe Festival (August 2004).
• Running Start, an series of one-act plays by Nichol Alexander and Ryan Hill, produced and directed by the Blank Slate Theater Company. Theater Row (NYC) (February 2004).
• Virgo Genetrix, a dance-play with puppets written, directed, and choreographed by Christopher Earle Williams with live music performed by the Anonymous 4. HERE (NYC) (May 2003).
• Broken Morning by Chiori Miyagawa, directed by Sonoko Kawahara, HERE (NYC). Also music director (songs by Daniel Sonenberg and Mark Campbell) (Feb.-March 2003).
• The Cuchulain Cycle by W.B. Yeats, directed by Sonoko Kawahara, Fordham University. (November-December 2002).
• Phoenician Women, Synapse Productions, Ohio Theatre. Work included multi-channel speaker installation and live electronics. (November 2002).
• Expiration Date, Three One-Act Plays by Andrew Condell and Harry Kondoleon, directed by Terry Martin, Clark Studio Theater (Lincoln Center) (2001).
• It's Not My Fault, It Was On Fire When I Got There, written and directed by Carl Andress, Theater for the New City (2001); sound designer and music arranger (music by Dick Gallagher.) Additional performances at Club Hector in the Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre (March 2002) and 2002 NYC Fringe Festival.
• Zoo, multi-media interactive production, MW Theatre Company. Access Theater (2001); also at NYC Fringe Festival (2001).
• The Legendary St. Vincent Design, Wings Theater (NYC). Composer of incidental music, sound designer (July-August 2001).
• Malibu Revisited, John Hart (playwright), Chris Stillwell (director). The Producers' Club (2000).
• A Streetcar Named Desire, Northern Stage Company (White River Junction, VT). (2000)
• Journey's End, New 42nd St. Theatre. Soundscore/Sound Designer (2000); rated Highly Recommended by Off-Off-Broadway-Review (OOBR) website/newsletter.
• Nighthawks, Expanded Arts Production. Soundscore (1997).

Music Directing Experience

• Ghost Light, six short plays produced by The Shelter. Music arranger and onstage pianist. Gloria Maddox Theatre (NYC) (February-March 2013).
• Jack's Back!, music and lyrics by Tom Herman, book by Elmer L. Kline with Leo Cardini and Tom Herman, directed by John Gould Rubin, choreographed by Bronwen Carson. T. Schreiber Studios (NYC). (May-June 2012).
• International Opera Workshop: Bluebeard's Castle at Schloss Werdenberg, musical director, piano accompanist, and multi-instrumentalist actor/performer. (Fall 2011).
• International Opera Workshop: Sommernacht Fraktal at Schloss Werdenberg, rehearsal accompanist, harpsichord performer (contermporary and baroque), music direction. (Fall 2010).
• The City Wears a Slouch Hat, John Cage (composer), Kenneth Patchen (Playwright), New York City International Fringe Festival. Music director, conductor, composer of additional music. (2000) Awarded Outstanding Music Direction by the Fringe Festival.
• Thundermug, by Jeff Loshinsky adapted by from the stories of Nelson Algren. Actor (Hobo/Prisoner), harmonica player, and music direction (1930Õs Southern American Folk Music.) 2002 NYC Fringe Festival.
• Ogres, Trolls, and Dragonwings, children's musical theater piece directed by Nicole Lerario, Vital Theater Company (March 2002.)
• Standing Ovation Musical Theatre, music director/rehearsal accompanist for class of 9- to 17-year-old theater students, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, and 2005-2006 Seasons.
• Choral Conductor and Accompanist, Temple Emmanu-el (Edison, NJ), 1999-2005.
• The Wiz, French-American School (Mamaroneck, NY), music director, synthesizer/MIDI arranger (1998).
• The Pirates of Penzance, Oberlin Conservatory, music director and orchestra conductor (1993).

Classical / Dance / Orchestral Compositions

• Fifteen Minutes..., numerous short compositions for varied ensembles. (In progress, 2011).
• Taro, modern dance score for Mariana Bekerman Dance Company. Composed for violin, 'cello, piano, percussion, and electronics (40 minutes, 2006).
• Pinwheel Music for the Lumiano (art-project prepared piano with live visuals). Premiered at the Micro Museum in Brooklyn, NY (4 minutes, 2006).
• Dramatic Music suite in three movements for two pianos (also arranged for solo piano and piano four-hands). Composed for the Drama League New Directors Project (24 total minutes, 2004).
• Fir's Dream for solo piano. Composed for a production of Checkhov's The Cherry Orchard (4 minutes, 2004).
• Psalms for flute, guitar, and percussion. Composed for San Diego-based ensemble Noise (12 minutes, 2003).
• House and Garden Music, incidental music composed for the theatrical production Mrs. Warren's Profession, for two flutes and harp (10 minutes, 2003).
• Cooper Savage Suite, incidental music composed for the theatrical production Cooper Savage, for two guitars (12 minutes, 2002).
• Glamour, incidental music composed for the theatrical production Glamour, for solo 'cello (8 minutes, 2002).
• Northeastern Songs for tenor, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon (texts by Melville, Whitman, and Emerson) (8 minutes, 2000).
• Mary, Mary for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion. Premiered by New Directions Ensemble, Bakersfield, CA in 2001; additional performance by Santa Fe New Music Youth Ensemble (Santa Fe, NM) in July 2003 (8 1/2 minutes, 1999).
• Fanfare: The Journey, Concert band. Commissioned by the New World School of the Arts Wind Ensemble for their high school commencement ceremonies, 2001 (3 minutes, 2001)
• A Dance Encounter, for english horn and bassoon (also arranged for viola and 'cello). Composed for Barnard College student dance recital, 1997. (7 minutes, 1997).
• Samson and The Lion, Children's Choir and Piano. Finalist, 2000 KidSing Competition. Performances in Omaha, NE and Edison, NJ (3 minutes, 1996).
• Bells for symphony orchestra. Reading by members of the Minnesota Orchestra, 1998 (8 1/2 minutes, 1996).
• Rainy Day Songs, texts by Dorothy Parker, for soprano and bassoon. Performances in New York, Baltimore, and Florida, 1995-1996. (8 minutes, 1995).
• The Clavier, text by Wallace Stevens, for soprano, baritone, harpsichord, string bass, and SATB choir. (10 minutes, 1994).
• Five Pieces for Solo Harpsichord, performances in Oberlin, OH. (8 minutes, 1994).
• Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano. Performances in Ohio and New York, 1994-1998. (8 minutes, 1993).
• Sing Ye To The Lord, for cantor, choir (SATB), and organ. Winner, 1993 Guild of Temple Musicians Composers Award. (6 minutes, 1992).

Jazz, Pop, and Other Works

• It's Snowing on Park Avenue, lyrics by Anne Berlin, performed by the jazz vocal group RPM, numerous locations in NYC, 2006.
• Building Big: Domes, folk music arrangements for PBS documentary, 2000.
• Something So Sweet, jazz combo. Performances on United Nations Radio (France and Africa), 1997-1998.
• Spirit Dance, jazz combo. Performances on radio stations in Miami and Los Angeles, 1990-1994.
• The Latke Song, comic Jewish parody number, a big hit among the yentas around Chanukah time.
• B'rachvei Yerushalayim ("On the Streets of Jerusalem"), inspirational Jewish song; numerous performances at various Synagogues across the country.
• Songs written and arranged for World Wide World, NYC-based rock group, 1997-2001.

Education and Work Experience

• Adjudicator for the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 New York City International Fringe Festivals.
• MIDI programmer and sequencer for "Virtual Orchestras", Real-Time Music Solutions (NYC), 2001-present.
• Visiting Instructor in computers and music technology, French-American School (Mamaroneck, NY), January 2001.
• Standing Ovation Theatre (NYC), music director/rehearsal accompanist for class of 9- to 17-year-old theater students, 2000-2003.
• Copyist (Finale software) for the Milken Archives of Jewish Music, 2000-2002.
• Choral Conductor and Accompanist, Temple Emmanu-el (Edison, NJ), 1999-2005.
• Assistant to Richard Einhorn, concert music and film composer, 1997-2003.
• Manhattan School of Music, MM in Composition, 1997. Student of Aaron Jay Kernis, Richard Danielpour, and Pierre Charvet.
• Oberlin Conservatory, BM in Music Theory and Composition, 1994.
• Aspen Music Festival, composition student, 1994.
• Hochschule fur Musik and Vienna University, Vienna, Austria, guest student, 1993.
• Brandeis-Bardin Institute, Brandeis (Simi Valley) CA. Music fellowship, 1992.

Special Skills

• Orchestra, Jazz, and Rock Arranger.
• Music Copyist using Finale notation software.
• Synthesizer and MIDI programmer/arranger.
• Digital Audio recording and editing (Digital Performer, ProTools, etc.)
• Can produce for DAT, Cassette, MD, CD and mp3 or other web-based media.
• Performer on guitar, electric bass, and a variety of other instruments (please inquire!)

CDs, Reviews, and References available upon request.

Contacts:

Andy Cohen
306 Warren Street #3
Brooklyn, NY 11201
phone: (718) 624-3354
mobile phone: (917) 817-2503
email: acohen@inch.com

Photo Gallery

OK, I'm not the most photogenic of people, but I'm not a Salingeresque recluse either; I just haven't gotten around to getting a professional headshot taken. In the mean time, here's the best I can do (if you really want to know what I look like:)
My most recent headshot
Me playing bass in a NYC nightclub
Me in the Guggenheim museum
Me in Choir Robes
Me playing Conga Drums