Michael Aarons
Michael Aarons | |
|---|---|
 Michael Aarons in 2023 | |
| Born | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Education | |
| Occupations | Guitarist; music coordinator; composer |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Broadway music coordination; founder of M² Music |
| Website | m2music |
Michael Aarons is an American guitarist, music coordinator, and composer based in New York City. He is the founder and owner of M² Music, a music-coordination and contracting firm that provides orchestral contracting, staffing, and payroll administration for Broadway productions, touring companies, recordings, and live events.[1][2] His Broadway music-coordination credits include Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and Frozen.[3][4] Productions on which he has served as music coordinator have won the Tony Award for Best Musical, including Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and Schmigadoon!.[5][4] As a guitarist he has performed in Broadway pit orchestras and on studio recordings, and has played live with artists including Barry Manilow, Elton John, and Liza Minnelli.[3][4] He has also composed music for television, including the theme song for the Style Network series How Do I Look?[6] In 2026 he was honored at Broadway Salutes, the industry's annual recognition of veteran Broadway workers, for 25 years of Broadway service.[7][8]
Early life and education
Aarons was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. In 1994 he moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in 1998.[9] He went on to work in New York as a session guitarist and pit musician, breaking into Broadway substitute work through referrals from musical directors, composers, and players he had met outside the theatre, before moving into music coordination.[6]
Career
Guitarist
Aarons has performed as a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist in Broadway pit orchestras and recording sessions. His Broadway performer credits include Frozen, Kinky Boots, Evita, Godspell, Baby It's You!, Green Day's American Idiot, Memphis, 9 to 5: The Musical, Grease, High Fidelity, and Laugh Whore (with Mario Cantone).[4][3]
He is also credited with additional guitar arrangements for the Broadway production of Next to Normal.[4][10]
Outside of Broadway, Aarons has performed live with artists including Barry Manilow, Liza Minnelli, Elton John, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Michael McDonald, and Patti LaBelle, and has played on recordings by Ariana Grande, Plácido Domingo, Lizz Wright, James Ingram, and Joshua Bell.[3][6]
Aarons is a member of the Brooklyn-based soul-jazz organ trio Aarons, Finland & Rose, with organist Eric Finland and drummer Jordan Rose. Centered on the Hammond B-3 organ and drawing on the soul-jazz organ groups of the late 1960s, the trio released a self-titled album on February 14, 2023, recorded in Brooklyn the previous December and featuring original compositions by Aarons alongside soul and jazz covers.[11][12]
Cast recordings and album work
Aarons has contributed to original Broadway cast recordings and studio albums associated with productions including Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Jagged Little Pill, Frozen, and Moulin Rouge!.[4]
Music coordination
Aarons moved into music contracting as the full-time associate of veteran Broadway music coordinator Michael Keller.[13] His early Broadway coordination work included associate credits on Honeymoon in Vegas and Amazing Grace (both 2015) before he assumed full music-coordinator duties on productions including Hamilton that same year.[4]
Aarons' coordination credits span Broadway productions, national tours, cast recordings, concert events, and filmed stage adaptations.[4] Several productions on which he has served as music coordinator have won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, among them Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen.[4] Productions he has coordinated have also won the Tony Award for Best Musical, including Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and, most recently, Schmigadoon!, which opened at the Nederlander Theatre in April 2026 and won four Tony Awards at the 79th Tony Awards ceremony, including Best Musical.[5][4]
Beyond Broadway houses, Aarons has coordinated touring and sit-down productions, including the Chicago production of Hamilton and the first national tour of The Bridges of Madison County, along with associate coordination credits on national tours of If/Then and Kinky Boots.[4][14]
His Off-Broadway coordination credits include Little Shop of Horrors, the 2014 Atlantic Theater Company revival of The Threepenny Opera,[15][16] and the 2026 world-premiere production of Jennifer Nettles' musical Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, directed by Mary Zimmerman at the Perelman Performing Arts Center.[17][18] His pre-Broadway and developmental work includes the 2023 world-premiere Chicago tryout of Boop! The Musical at the CIBC Theatre, which transferred to Broadway in 2025.[19][20]
M² Music
M² Music (M-Squared Music, LLC) provides music coordination, orchestral contracting, staffing, and payroll administration services for Broadway productions, touring companies, recordings, television, film, and live events. Aarons is the firm's founder and owner.[21][2] A case study published by the database platform Knack describes the company's use of custom database systems for musician onboarding, scheduling, and payroll, and notes that the firm manages musicians for roughly half a dozen to a dozen Broadway shows concurrently.[2]
Composer and television work
Aarons has also composed and produced music for television and media projects, including work associated with CNBC, Lifetime, Oxygen, ABC, OWN, and MTV, and co-wrote the theme song for the Style Network series How Do I Look?[6] He founded his production company, Hybrid Music Productions, in 2004, initially producing mobile ringtone content before expanding into original music for television and commercial media.[22]
Aarons has composed music for the children's television series Sesame Street through his production company, Hybrid Music Productions.[23] The ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts documentary The Anti-Mascot (2015), directed by Colin Hanks, recounts the story of the San Francisco Giants' "Crazy Crab" mascot.[24] Aarons is credited as the film's composer.[25]
Broadway credits
Music coordination
The following Broadway music-coordination credits are documented by the Internet Broadway Database.[4]
| Production | Credit | Year |
|---|---|---|
| The Rocky Horror Show[26] | Music coordinator | 2026 |
| Beaches[27] | Music coordinator | 2026 |
| Schmigadoon![28] | Music coordinator | 2026 |
| All Out: Comedy About Ambition | Music coordinator | 2025 |
| Mamma Mia! | Music coordinator | 2025 |
| Real Women Have Curves: The Musical[29] | Music coordinator | 2025 |
| Pirates! The Penzance Musical[9] | Music coordinator | 2025 |
| SMASH | Music coordinator | 2025 |
| Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends[15] | Music coordinator | 2025 |
| Boop! The Musical[20] | Music coordinator | 2025 |
| All In: Comedy About Love[30] | Music coordinator | 2025 |
| Swept Away | Music coordinator | 2024 |
| Elf | Music coordinator | 2024 |
| Tammy Faye | Music coordinator | 2024 |
| Sunset Boulevard | Music coordinator | 2024 |
| The Heart of Rock and Roll | Music coordinator | 2024 |
| The Wiz | Music coordinator | 2024 |
| How to Dance in Ohio[31] | Music coordinator | 2023 |
| Harmony[32] | Music coordinator | 2023 |
| & Juliet | Music coordinator | 2022 |
| Freestyle Love Supreme | Music coordinator | 2021 |
| Flying Over Sunset | Music coordinator | 2021 |
| Diana, The Musical | Music coordinator | 2021 |
| Jagged Little Pill | Music coordinator | 2019 |
| Moulin Rouge! The Musical | Music coordinator | 2019 |
| Be More Chill | Music coordinator | 2019 |
| Ruben & Clay's First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show[33] | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| Pretty Woman: The Musical[34] | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| Head Over Heels | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| Frozen | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| Escape to Margaritaville[35] | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| SpongeBob SquarePants[36] | Music coordinator | 2017 |
| Prince of Broadway | Music coordinator | 2017 |
| Anastasia | Music coordinator | 2017 |
| War Paint | Music coordinator | 2017 |
| Dear Evan Hansen | Music coordinator | 2016 |
| The Color Purple | Music coordinator | 2015 |
| School of Rock – The Musical | Music coordinator | 2015 |
| Hamilton | Music coordinator | 2015 |
| Amazing Grace | Associate music coordinator | 2015 |
| Honeymoon in Vegas | Associate music coordinator | 2015 |
| Aladdin | Replacement music coordinator | 2011 |
Guitarist
The following Broadway performer credits are documented by the Internet Broadway Database.[4]
| Production | Instrument / Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen | Guitar; octave mandolin | 2018 |
| Kinky Boots | Guitar | 2013 |
| Evita | Guitar | 2012 |
| Godspell | Guitar | 2011 |
| Baby It's You! | Guitar | 2011 |
| Green Day's American Idiot | Guitar | 2010 |
| Memphis | Guitar | 2010 |
| 9 to 5: The Musical | Guitar | 2009 |
| Next to Normal | Additional guitar arrangements | 2009 |
| Grease | Guitar | 2007 |
| High Fidelity | Guitar; banjo; mandolin; sitar | 2006 |
| Laugh Whore (with Mario Cantone) | Guitar | 2004 |
Discography
Recording credits are documented by AllMusic; individual cast-recording credits can additionally be verified from each album's liner notes.[37]
| Title | Primary Artist / Production | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE WIZ [2024 Broadway Cast Recording] | Deborah Cox / Nichelle Lewis / Avery Wilson | Production coordination | 2024 |
| Aarons, Finland & Rose[11] | Aarons, Finland & Rose | Guitar; composer; producer | 2023 |
| & Juliet (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2022 |
| Reflect | Tom Kitt | Guitar; music coordinator | 2021 |
| Diana: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Guitar; music coordinator | 2021 |
| Bill | William Shatner | Strings contractor | 2021 |
| Hamilton (Film Soundtrack) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2020 |
| Jagged Little Pill (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Guitar; music coordinator | 2019 |
| Be More Chill (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Joe Iconis | Music coordinator | 2019 |
| Pretty Woman: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| Miss You Like Hell (Original Cast Recording) | Erin McKeown | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert | NBC | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| Incredibles 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Michael Giacchino | Guitar | 2018 |
| How We React and How We Recover | Jason Robert Brown | 12-string electric guitar; electric guitar | 2018 |
| Head Over Heels (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2018 |
| Frozen: The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Guitar; music coordinator; octave mandolin | 2018 |
| Escape to Margaritaville | Broadway Cast | Coordination | 2018 |
| War Paint (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2017 |
| SpongeBob SquarePants: The New Musical (Original Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Acoustic guitar; electric guitar; banjo; ukulele | 2017 |
| Freaky Friday | Tom Kitt | Guitar | 2017 |
| Dear Evan Hansen (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2017 |
| Anastasia (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2017 |
| Jason's Song (Gave It Away)[38] | Ariana Grande | Guitar | 2016 |
| The Color Purple (New Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2016 |
| Amazing Grace (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2016 |
| School of Rock – The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Music coordinator | 2015 |
| Hamilton: An American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Music coordinator | 2015 |
| Honeymoon in Vegas: The Musical | Broadway Cast | Assistant coordinator | 2014 |
| Shoulders | PT Walkley | Main guitars | 2014 |
| Kinky Boots (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Guitar | 2013 |
| Musical Gifts from Joshua Bell and Friends | Joshua Bell | Guitar | 2013 |
| Songs | Plácido Domingo | Guitar | 2012 |
| Godspell | Broadway Cast | Guitar | 2011 |
| Memphis (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Guitar | 2010 |
| Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Acoustic guitar; electric guitar | 2009 |
| 9 to 5: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Guitar | 2009 |
| The Other Side | Anya Singleton | Composer | 2008 |
| Jason Danieley and the Frontier Heroes | Jason Danieley | Guitar; banjo; mandolin | 2008 |
| High Fidelity: A Musical (Original Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Guitar; banjo; mandolin; sitar | 2007 |
| Grease (New Broadway Cast Recording) | Broadway Cast | Acoustic guitar; electric guitar | 2007 |
| Liza's Back | Liza Minnelli | Guitar | 2002 |
Film and television
Aarons has worked in film and television in music department roles including music coordinator, contractor, performer, and composer.[39]
| Title | Role | Medium / Notes | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up Here | Music contractor | TV series (8 episodes) | 2023 |
| South Park | Music contractor | TV series (6 episodes) | 2022 |
| Annie Live! | Music coordinator | TV movie | 2021 |
| Diana | Music coordinator; musician (guitar 2) | Streaming film | 2021 |
| Here Today | Music coordinator | Film | 2021 |
| Nature | Original music | TV series (1 episode) | 2021 |
| Hamilton | Music coordinator | Filmed stage production | 2020 |
| We Are Freestyle Love Supreme | Music coordinator | Documentary film | 2020 |
| Live from Lincoln Center | Music coordinator | TV series (7 episodes) | 2018–2019 |
| Incredibles 2 | Musician (guitar)[37] | Feature film | 2018 |
| Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert | Music coordinator | TV movie | 2018 |
| Royal Pains | Musician (guitar) | TV series (1 episode) | 2016 |
| Crazy Ex-Girlfriend | Music coordinator | TV series (1 episode) | 2016 |
| Lucky Stiff | Musician (guitar) | Film | 2014 |
| Generation Astronaut | Original music | TV movie | 2013 |
| 20 Under 20: Transforming Tomorrow | Original music | TV movie | 2012 |
| How Do I Look? | Theme music composer (title song) | TV series (114 episodes) | 2004–2012 |
| Curvy Girls | Composer (additional music) | TV series (1 episode) | 2011 |
| Bad Girls Club | Composer (additional music) | TV series (3 episodes) | 2010–2011 |
| Life Unexpected | Composer (additional music) | TV series (1 episode) | 2010 |
| How to Look Good Naked | Composer (additional music) | TV series (1 episode) | 2008 |
References
- ↑ "M² Music – Organization page". Playbill. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 "M² Music – Case Study". Knack. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Michael Aarons – Playbill Vault". Playbill. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Michael Aarons – Broadway Cast & Staff". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- 1 2 "Schmigadoon! Wins Best Musical at the 2026 Tony Awards". Playbill. 8 June 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "'How do I get a gig on Broadway?'". Allegro. Vol. CX, no. 12. Local 802 AFM. December 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Broadway Salutes (2026)". Allegro. Local 802 AFM. January 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "6 incredible stories from the veteran workers of Broadway". Broadway News. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- 1 2 "MSM Alumni Summer Newsletter: Alumni Successes". Manhattan School of Music. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Next to Normal Broadway Production Credits". Playbill.
- 1 2 "Aarons, Finland & Rose – Album". Spotify. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ "Aarons, Finland & Rose". Bandcamp. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Top of His Game". Allegro. Local 802 AFM. May 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Why we joined the union". Allegro. Local 802 AFM. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends – Cast & Creative". Manhattan Theatre Club. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "Musicians at work". Allegro. Local 802 AFM. June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "Photos: Hit the Red Carpet at Opening Night for World Premiere Jennifer Nettles Musical Giulia". Playbill. July 2026. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
- ↑ "Quentin Earl Darrington, Bre Jackson, Andrew Kober, and More Will Join Jennifer Nettles in Giulia". TheaterMania. March 2026. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
- ↑ "Reviews: See What Critics Have to Say About Boop! The Betty Boop Musical in Chicago". Playbill. December 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- 1 2 "'Boop! The Musical' Review". Variety. 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ "Michael Aarons – Artist Profile". Sixthman. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "Michael Aarons". GIK Acoustics. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Michael Aarons". Songtradr. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "30 for 30 Shorts: The Anti-Mascot". Grantland. ESPN. 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "The Anti-Mascot (2015) – Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ "'The Rocky Horror Show' Broadway Review". Variety. April 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "Beaches, A New Musical – Broadway". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Schmigadoon! (Broadway, Nederlander Theatre, 2026)". Playbill. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "'Real Women Have Curves' Review". Variety. 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ "'All In: Comedy About Love' Review". Variety. 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ "'How to Dance in Ohio' Review". Variety. 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ "Photos: Go Backstage at Broadway's Harmony With Sierra Boggess". Playbill. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ruben & Clay's First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League.
- ↑ Gleiberman, Owen (16 August 2018). "'Pretty Woman: The Musical' Review". Variety. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (16 November 2017). "'Escape to Margaritaville' Review". Variety. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ Gordon, David (20 June 2016). "'The SpongeBob Musical' Review". Variety. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Michael Aarons – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Jason's Song (Gave It Away)". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ "Michael Aarons – IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 19 September 2025.