}}
}}
”’Michael Aarons”’ is an American guitarist and music coordinator based in New York City. He is the founder of the Broadway music-coordination firm ”’M² Music”’.<ref name=”M2Org”>{{cite web |title=M² Music – Organization page |url=https://playbill.com/person/m2-music |website=Playbill |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”AaronsVault”>{{cite web |title=Michael Aarons – Playbill Vault |url=https://playbill.com/person/michael-aarons-vault-0000003362 |website=Playbill |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”IBDB”>{{cite web |title=Michael Aarons – Broadway Cast & Staff |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/michael-aarons-391602 |website=IBDB |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
”’Michael Aarons”’ is an American guitarist and music coordinator based in New York City. He is the founder of the Broadway music-coordination firm ”’M² Music”’.<ref name=”M2Org”>{{cite web |title=M² Music – Organization page |url=https://playbill.com/person/m2-music |website=Playbill |access-date= September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”AaronsVault”>{{cite web |title=Michael Aarons – Playbill Vault |url=https://playbill.com/person/michael-aarons-vault-0000003362 |website=Playbill |access-date= September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”IBDB”>{{cite web |title=Michael Aarons – Broadway Cast & Staff |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/michael-aarons-391602 |website=IBDB |access-date= September 2025}}</ref>
==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Aarons was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and moved to New York City in 1994 to study at the [[Manhattan School of Music]]. Playbill’s ”Schools of the Stars” lists him as MSM for ”War Paint”; MSM also lists him as BM ’98 in alumni materials.<ref name=”SchoolsWarPaint”>{{cite web |title=Schools of the Stars: Where ”War Paint” Cast and Creators Went to College |url=https://playbill.com/article/schools-of-the-stars-where-war-paint-cast-and-creators-went-to-college |website=Playbill |date=6 April 2017 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”MSMnews”>{{cite web |title=MSM Alumni Summer Newsletter: Successes |url=https://www.msmnyc.edu/news/alumni-newsletter-summer-2025-successes/ |website=Manhattan School of Music |date=19 August 2025 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”MSMpdf”>{{cite web |title=MSM Alumni Brochure 2025 (PDF) |url=https://www.msmnyc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSM_AlumniBrochure2025.pdf |website=Manhattan School of Music |date=March 2025 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
Aarons was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and moved to New York City in 1994 to study at the [[Manhattan School of Music]] in .<ref name=”SchoolsWarPaint”>{{cite web |title=Schools of the Stars: Where ”War Paint” Cast and Creators Went to College |url=https://playbill.com/article/schools-of-the-stars-where-war-paint-cast-and-creators-went-to-college |website=Playbill |date=6 April 2017 |access-date= September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”MSMnews”>{{cite web |title=MSM Alumni Summer Newsletter: Successes |url=https://www.msmnyc.edu/news/alumni-newsletter-summer-2025-successes/ |website=Manhattan School of Music |date=19 August 2025 |access-date= September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”MSMpdf”>{{cite web |title=MSM Alumni Brochure 2025 (PDF) |url=https://www.msmnyc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MSM_AlumniBrochure2025.pdf |website=Manhattan School of Music |date=March 2025 |access-date= September 2025}}</ref>
==Career==
==Career==
===Guitarist===
===Guitarist===
On Broadway, Aarons has performed on ”Frozen”, ”Kinky Boots”, ”Evita”, ”Godspell”, ”Baby It’s You!”, ”Green Day’s American Idiot”, ”Memphis”, ”9 to 5”, ”Grease”, and ”High Fidelity”, among other productions.<ref name=”AaronsVault” /><ref name=”IBDB” />
On Broadway, Aarons has performed on ”Frozen”, ”Kinky Boots”, ”Evita”, ”Godspell”, ”Baby It’s You!”, ”Green Day’s American Idiot”, ”Memphis”, ”9 to 5”, ”Grease”, and ”High Fidelity”, among other productions.<ref name=”AaronsVault” /><ref name=”IBDB” />
Outside Broadway, he has performed or recorded with artists including [[Barry Manilow]], [[Liza Minnelli]], [[Michael McDonald (musician)|Michael McDonald]], [[Patti LaBelle]], [[Plácido Domingo]], and others; industry profiles and orchestra rosters note these collaborations.<ref name=”BM-KBOrch”>{{cite web |title=Kinky Boots Orchestra |url=https://www.broadwaymusicians.com/kinky-boots |website=BroadwayMusicians.com |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
===Selected recordings===
===Selected recordings===
* ”Frozen: The Broadway Musical – Original Broadway Cast Recording” (2018) — credited on guitar and octave mandolin (album performance credits).<ref name=”BN-Frozen”>{{cite web |title=Frozen: The Broadway Musical – Original Broadway Cast Recording (Album Credits) |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/frozen-the-broadway-musical-kristen-anderson-lopez/32447666 |website=Barnes & Noble |date=8 June 2018 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”IBDB-Frozen”>{{cite web |title=Frozen – Broadway Production (credits) |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/frozen-515657 |website=IBDB |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
* ”Frozen: The Broadway Musical – Original Broadway Cast Recording” (2018) — guitar and octave mandolin.<ref name=”BN-Frozen”>{{cite web |title=Frozen: The Broadway Musical – Original Broadway Cast Recording Credits |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/frozen-the-broadway-musical-kristen-anderson-lopez/32447666 |website=Barnes & Noble |date=8 June 2018 |access-date= September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”IBDB-Frozen”>{{cite web |title=Frozen – Broadway Production (credits) |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/frozen-515657 |website=IBDB |access-date= September 2025}}</ref>
* ”Jagged Little Pill (Original Broadway Cast Recording)” (2019) — album credits list Aarons among the recording personnel (coordinator/guitar on track credits).<ref name=”MusoJLP”>{{cite web |title=Jagged Little Pill (Original Broadway Cast Recording) – Credits |url=https://credits.muso.ai/album/43715463-c727-4e0e-9744-9dc551bf00f8 |website=Muso.ai |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”PlaybillPDF-JLP”>{{cite web |title=Jagged Little Pill – Playbill (PDF) |url=https://d3bdanh5n7adyg.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/26151302/Jagged-Little-Pill-Playbill.pdf |website=Playbill |date=2024 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
* ”Jagged Little Pill (Original Broadway Cast Recording)” (2019) — guitar.<ref name=”MusoJLP”>{{cite web |title=Jagged Little Pill (Original Broadway Cast Recording) – Credits |url=https://credits.muso.ai/album/43715463-c727-4e0e-9744-9dc551bf00f8 |website=Muso.ai |access-date= September 2025}}</ref>
* ”The Heart of Rock and Roll (Original Broadway Cast Album)” (2024) — music coordinator (album announcement/credits).<ref name=”HeartAlbum”>{{cite web |title=The Heart of Rock and Roll Cast Album Is Almost Here |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/204312/the-heart-of-rock-and-roll-cast-album-is-almost-here/ |website=Broadway.com |date=13 June 2024 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
* ”The Heart of Rock and Roll (Original Broadway Cast Album)” (2024) — music coordinator.<ref name=”HeartAlbum”>{{cite web |title=The Heart of Rock and Roll Cast Album Is Almost Here |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/204312/the-heart-of-rock-and-roll-cast-album-is-almost-here/ |website=Broadway.com |date=13 June 2024 |access-date= September 2025}}</ref>
* ”Incredibles 2” (2018, film soundtrack) — credited in the official music department/orchestra listings for the score album.<ref name=”DisneyCredits”>{{cite web |title=Incredibles 2 – Official Walt Disney Music Credits |url=https://www.disneymusiccredits.com/album/incredibles-2/ |website=Disney Music Credits |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
* ”Incredibles 2” (2018) — credited in orchestra listings.<ref name=”DisneyCredits”>{{cite web |title=Incredibles 2 – Official Walt Disney Music Credits |url=https://www.disneymusiccredits.com/album/incredibles-2/ |website=Disney Music Credits |access-date= September 2025}}</ref>
* ”Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert” (2018, NBC live concert & album) — music coordinator (album credits).<ref name=”JCSDiscogs”>{{cite web |title=Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert (album) – credits |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12881217-Various-Jesus-Christ-Superstar-Live-In-Concert/ |website=Discogs |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
* ”Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert” (2018, NBC) — music coordinator.<ref name=”JCSDiscogs”>{{cite web |title=Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert – |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12881217-Various-Jesus-Christ-Superstar-Live-In-Concert/ |website=Discogs |access-date= September 2025}}</ref>
==M² Music==
==M² Music==
In 2015, Aarons co-founded ”’M² Music”’, a Broadway music-coordination and orchestra contracting company that provides staffing for Broadway shows, national tours, film and television scoring, and concerts.<ref name=”M2Org” /> Playbill lists M² Music as a Broadway “Organization,” crediting Aarons among its principals.<ref name=”M2Org” />
”’M² Music”’ provides music coordination services for Broadway productions, national tours, television, films, and concerts, including contracting, compliance with [[American Federation of Musicians|AFM]] agreements, and consultation with music departments across theater, film/TV, and recordings.<ref name=”M2About”>{{cite web |title=About Us – M² Music |url=https://www.m2music.nyc/about-us |website=M² Music |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”M2Org” /> He has participated in AFM Local 802 initiatives and events, including the Broadway League’s ”Stars in the Alley” concert series.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stars in the Alley |url=https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/stars-in-the-alley-5/ |website=Local 802 AFM – Allegro |date=June 2019 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
The firm administers payroll and budget services, including preparation of [[American Federation of Musicians|AFM]] contracts, compliance with union agreements, and employer-of-record functions such as liability insurance, tax filings, and benefit remittance.<ref name=”M2Payroll”>{{cite web |title=Payroll Services – M² Music |url=https://www.m2music.nyc/payroll |website=M² Music |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”M2Terms”>{{cite web |title=Terms of Use – M² Music |url=https://www.m2music.nyc/terms-of-use |website=M² Music |date=4 January 2021 |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>
According to a Knack case study, the company uses a custom web application built on the Knack platform to manage its musician database, automate onboarding, schedule work calls, and generate contracts and payroll outputs.<ref name=”KnackCase”>{{cite web |title=M² Music – Case Study |url=https://www.knack.com/case-study/m2-music/ |website=Knack |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=”KnackCases”>{{cite web |title=Case Studies – Knack |url=https://www.knack.com/case-studies/ |website=Knack |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref> The system replaced spreadsheet-based coordination and helped expand daily operations.
M² Music has also been noted in union publications for its participation in AFM Local 802 events, including the Broadway League’s annual ”Stars in the Alley” concert.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stars in the Alley |url=https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/stars-in-the-alley-5/ |website=Local 802 AFM – ”Allegro” |date=June 2019 |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>
==Selected credits==
==Selected credits==
* ”[[The Heart of Rock and Roll]]”<ref name=”PlaybillHeart” />
* ”[[The Heart of Rock and Roll]]”<ref name=”PlaybillHeart” />
* ”Pirates! The Penzance Musical” (2025)<ref name=”PlaybillPiratesClose” />
* ”Pirates! The Penzance Musical” (2025)<ref name=”PlaybillPiratesClose” />
* ”Mamma Mia!” (2025 return engagement)<ref name=”AaronsVault” />
* ”Mamma Mia!” (2025 return)<ref name=”AaronsVault” />
* ”Smash” (2025)<ref name=”IBDB” />
* ”Smash” (2025)<ref name=”IBDB” />
* ”Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends” (2025)<ref name=”MTC-OldFriends” />
* ”Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends” (2025)<ref name=”MTC-OldFriends” />
* ”BOOP! The Musical” (2025)<ref name=”IBDB” />
* ”BOOP! The Musical” (2025)<ref name=”IBDB” />
* ”Real Women Have Curves” (2025)<ref name=”RWHC” />
* ”Real Women Have Curves” (2025)<ref name=”RWHC” />
* ”[[Frozen (musical)|Frozen]]” – guitars/octave mandolin; co-music coordinator<ref name=”AaronsVault” />
* ”[[Frozen (musical)|Frozen]]” – octave mandolin; co-music coordinator<ref name=”AaronsVault” />
* ”[[Kinky Boots]]” – guitar<ref name=”AaronsVault” />
* ”[[Kinky Boots]]” – guitar<ref name=”AaronsVault” />
}}
}}
American guitarist and Broadway music coordinator
|
Michael Aarons |
|
|---|---|
 Michael Aarons in 2023 |
|
| Alma mater | Manhattan School of Music |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist; music coordinator |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Broadway music coordination; co-founder of M² Music |
Michael Aarons is an American guitarist and music coordinator based in New York City. He is the co-founder of the Broadway music-coordination firm M² Music.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
[edit]
Aarons was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA), graduating in 1994 from the Instrumental Music (Jazz) program. The school lists him as “Michael Aarons (Class of 1994, Instrumental Music).”[4] While at Ellington he studied under saxophonist and educator Davey Yarborough. He moved to New York City in 1994 to study at the Manhattan School of Music, earning a bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Commercial Music in 1998.[5][6][7]
On Broadway, Aarons has performed on Frozen, Kinky Boots, Evita, Godspell, Baby It’s You!, Green Day’s American Idiot, Memphis, 9 to 5, Grease, and High Fidelity, among other productions.[2][3] Outside Broadway, he has performed or recorded with Barry Manilow, Liza Minnelli, Michael McDonald, Patti LaBelle, Plácido Domingo, and others.[8]
Selected recordings
[edit]
- Frozen: The Broadway Musical – Original Broadway Cast Recording (2018) — guitar and octave mandolin.[9][10]
- Jagged Little Pill (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2019) — music coordination and guitar.[11]
- The Heart of Rock and Roll (Original Broadway Cast Album) (2024) — music coordinator.[12]
- Incredibles 2 (2018) — credited in orchestra listings.[13]
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert (2018, NBC) — music coordinator.[14]
Aarons is credited as music coordinator on numerous Broadway productions and tours, including Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Jagged Little Pill, & Juliet, The Wiz (2024 revival), Sunset Boulevard (2024 revival), Harmony, How to Dance in Ohio, and The Heart of Rock and Roll.[2][3] He also coordinated 2025 engagements including Mamma Mia! (return), Smash, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, BOOP! The Musical, and Real Women Have Curves.[2][1][15][16]
For Harmony, Broadway.com lists him as music coordinator;[17] his credit for The Wiz revival is confirmed on the production site.[18] Playbill coverage also names him on The Heart of Rock and Roll (2024),[19] and on Pirates! The Penzance Musical (2025).[20]
In 2015, Aarons co-founded M² Music, a Broadway music-coordination and orchestra contracting company that provides staffing for Broadway shows, national tours, film and television scoring, and concerts.[1] Playbill lists M² Music as a Broadway “Organization,” crediting Aarons among its principals.[1]
The firm administers payroll and budget services, including preparation of AFM contracts, compliance with union agreements, and employer-of-record functions such as liability insurance, tax filings, and benefit remittance.[21][22]
According to a Knack case study, the company uses a custom web application built on the Knack platform to manage its musician database, automate onboarding, schedule work calls, and generate contracts and payroll outputs.[23][24] The system replaced spreadsheet-based coordination and helped expand daily operations.
M² Music has also been noted in union publications for its participation in AFM Local 802 events, including the Broadway League’s annual Stars in the Alley concert.[25]
