Bio

Darren R. Cohen is a New York-based Musical Director, Conductor, Pianist, Arranger, Author, and Vocal Coach.

Darren grew up about 45 minutes outside of New York City, and was very fortunate to see several Broadway shows every year.  He studied piano with Avraham Sternklar and eventually, Mortin Estrin who ultimately prepped him for his college auditions.  He was accepted to the Eastman School of Music and everything changed for Darren.  

Summers off from college were spent doing summer stock, where he met several directors and choreographers that began shaping his career.  

Soon after graduating from the Eastman School of Music, Darren moved to New York City and his professional career took off quickly with a bang: within his first year after school he was introduced to Broadway and television legend, Kaye Ballard, who took him on the road to play and conduct her one-woman show "Hey Ma, Kaye Ballard."  Soon after, Darren was playing piano in the pit of A Chorus Line, Meet Me in St. Louis, Me and My Girl, and Tommy, to name a few.  He was one of the fortunate ones who was able to pay off his student loans within two years.   

Darren loves teaching. He has taught musical theatre performance/audition classes and seminars around the world including China, Taiwan, and Israel, and he has been on the faculty at NYU Steinhardt School and Marymount Manhattan College. Darren also maintains a very busy private coaching clientele along with one of the largest musical theatre sheet-music libraries and databases. 

He has worked at all the top regional theatre around the country including: Barrington Stage Co, Sacramento Music Circus, Cincinnati Playhouse, Goodspeed, Studio Theatre (Washington DC), Center Stage (Baltimore) , Asolo Theatre Co, North Shore Music Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Pioneer Theatre, George Street Playhouse...