Simon Gray
Simon Gray, the founder and director of Music Theatre 2000, studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and enjoys a varied musical career encompassing a wide range of musical styles from pantomime and children’s shows to opera and the concert platform.
He was principal conductor for both Regency Opera and English Festival Opera and has made guest appearances with European Chamber Opera, and English Country Garden Opera as well as many smaller companies.
He has conducted concerts at the Royal Festival Hall, The Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and St John’s Smith Square as well as many other venues around the UK. He has conducted opera and major touring musicals, as well as West End shows and has musically directed pantomimes with a host of stars.
In 2007 year he had the honour to conduct the 200th anniversary celebration of The Theatre Royal, Brighton.
In 2008 & 2009 Simon was invited to Norway where he took up a position as Choir Master on board the MS Midnatsol as she cruised the Norwegian coastline. Performing beneath the Northern Lights is a wonderful experience!
Simon regularly stages concerts in aid of the Martlets Hospice in Hove including The Martlets Musical Spectaculars, and the recent Martlets Christmas Musical Spectacular and coming up in June 2012 The Martlets Jubilee Musical Spectacular. He also works regularly with local company Brighton Theatre Group for whom he has conducted many productions including their recent La Cage Aux Folles at the Theatre Royal, and has staged many concerts for them including the recent Broadway Big Sing. In April 2012 he will conduct and stage a commemorative production of the musical Titanic. For Southwick Opera he has conducted and directed many productions including Otello, Eugene Onegin, The Magic Flute, Pagliacci, Suor Angelica, Patience, Iolanthe and most recently Kiss Me Kate.Teacher and Vocal Coach
In addition to a busy performing career, Simon is also a very successful teacher and vocal coach with many of his students appearing in West End and national touring musicals. In recent years students have appeared in Les Miserables, Annie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Lion King, Billy Elliot, The Sound of Music, Whistle Down the Wind, Mary Poppins, Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof etc, as well as pantomimes and local shows.
Simon’s students have also been very successful in singing festivals with very many first places and several winners of Championship finals in both Junior and Senior sections.
Many of Simon’s students have gone on to further musical theatre/voice study at leading music/drama schools, currently at Mountview Theatre School, Guildford School of Acting, Laine Theatre Arts College and the Brit School.
Simon teaches at several local state schools and independent theatre and dance schools as well as a large private teaching practise.
Workshops
Simon is also involved in running workshops and summer schools for children in both musical theatre and opera. In 2008 he ran an opera workshop for children under 13 as part of the Brighton Children’s Festival which took place in the Music Room at the Royal Pavilion and the Old Court House.
The workshops can also be taken into schools and can cover a wide range of musical subjects. Currently Simon is working on an opera workshop which involves the children in scenes from La Boheme and another based on World War II songs.
Please contact Simon direct for more information about workshops.
Singing for Pleasure
Simon has recently formed Singing for Pleasure, a group to which anyone can come along and learn to sing in a choir.