Paul Bogaev - Award-Winning Musical Director, Arranger, Conductor, Composer

Paul Bogaev is a multi-award-winning music director, arranger, conductor, and composer. He earned his first Grammy Award for his work on Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA, for which he produced, orchestrated, and conducted the Tony Award-winning score. Bogaev's illustrious career includes serving as the music director on Broadway for a range of productions, including TARZAN, BOMBAY DREAMS (which earned him a Tony nomination for Best Orchestration), SUNSET BOULEVARD, ASPECTS OF LOVE, CHESS, LES MISÉRABLES, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, CATS, and THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, featuring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.

In addition to his Broadway success, Bogaev was enlisted to "doctor" SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, collaborating with Bono and The Edge to enhance the musical performance and sound. He also made his mark in London, conducting Trevor Nunn’s Olivier Award-winning production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and later serving as the musical director for the highly acclaimed revival of Stephen Sondheim’s PACIFIC OVERTURES.

Bogaev's influence extends to the silver screen, with his musical contributions to notable films such as the Oscar-winning Chicago (which won a Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack), Nine, Across the Universe, Dreamgirls, Connie and Carla, as well as animated features like The Lion King, Tarzan, Mulan, and The Emperor's New Groove. Additionally, he served as the music director for ABC-TV film musicals Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Annie (earning an Emmy Award), and South Pacific.

Throughout his career, Bogaev has collaborated with a plethora of stars, including Sting, Phil Collins, Elton John, U2, ABBA, A. R. Rahman, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Brandy, Beyonce, Hugh Jackman, Glenn Close, Toni Braxton, Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Daniel Day-Lewis, Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Renée Zellweger, Judi Dench, Liam Neeson, Harry Connick Jr., Drew Barrymore, Whoopi Goldberg, Toni Collette, Nia Vardalos, Kathy Bates, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson and Fergie.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Bogaev's creativity shines in his stage production of THE THREE MUSKETEERS, which enjoyed a successful four-year run in Europe. Recently, he recorded THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS, accompanied by his original score with the narration of Glenn Close. Furthermore, Bogaev has captivated audiences with his one-man show, NO SURRENDER Songs by Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits, garnering unanimous praise during its run in London and currently in preparation for a US tour.

As a music student at the Juilliard School and concurrently an acting student at the Stella Adler Conservatory, Bogaev showcased his talents by starring in productions such as HAIR and Arthur Miller’s UP FROM PARADISE at the Kennedy Center.

More recently, he has demonstrated his versatility by modernizing OLIVER! and portraying Fagin as a gritty drug dealer, along with his role as Frollo in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.

Aside from his artistic pursuits, he is esteemed as a top vocal coach, conducting master classes in song performance at prestigious institutions such as Princeton University. 

Bogaev was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre in 2023.