About Josh

Josh graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts with an MA with Distinction in Musical Direction in 2021, following his First-Class BA in Music from Oxford University (2020). He also trained at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department and with the National Youth Music Theatre.

As a Musical Director, his previous work has spanned the genre of musical theatre, specialising in piano accompaniment of jazz/pop/rock-based scores, arranging/orchestration, and conducting.

His MA Dissertation focused on the adaptation of pre-existing musical theatre for actor-musicians, both musically and more broadly creatively.

Selected Theatre Credits:

Josh is currently Assistant MD on the London Revival of STARLIGHT EXPRESS

In Summer 2025, he was Musical Director of the European Premier of TUCK EVERLASTING for the

National Youth Music Theatre.

IN CLAY - Associate Conductor (2024, Upstairs at the Gatehouse)
GREATEST DAYS - MD/Keys 1 (2023, UK Tour)
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - MD/Keys/Vocal Arranger (2022, Corn Exchange, Newbury)
ARE YOU AS NERVOUS AS I AM? - MD/Additional Orchestrations & Arrangements (2022, Greenwich Theatre)
BILLY ELLIOT - Assistant MD (2022, Curve)
ZORRO! - Associate MD (2022, Charing Cross)
VANARA: THE LEGEND - Associate MD/Keys 1 (2021, Hackney Empire)
RATTLESNAKE: A New Musical - MD/Arranger/Actor-Musician (2021, Catalyst Festival, Mountview)
OSO PANTO: RAPUNZEL (2020, OSO Arts Centre Barnes)

Dep Keys:

HAMILTON - Keys 2 (2024 -, UK Tour)
THE LITTLE BIG THINGS - Keys 2 (2023-2024, West End)
THE BODYGUARD - Keys 2 (2023, UK Tour)

Concerts:

ENCORE: A NIGHT WITH WEST END STARS - Orchestrator/Musical Supervisor (2024, European Tour)
CONNECTIONS VOL. 1 - MD/Arranger/Orchestrator (2022, Other Palace Studio)
SPOTLIGHT ON NEW MUSICALS - MD (2022, Concert Series, Union Theatre)
OSO PIANO LOUNGE: SONGS FROM THE MUSICALS (2021, OSO Arts Centre)

As Musical Director for Drama Schools

THE BAKER'S WIFE - MD/Arranger/Orchestrator (2024, Mountview in-house project)
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE - MD (2024, Bird College)
SWEET CHARITY - MD/Arranger/Orchestrator (2023, Italia Conti)
SWEENEY TODD - MD/Arranger/Orchestrator (2022, Bath Theatre Academy, The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath)
SPRING AWAKENING - MD (2021, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)

Further Credits:

BRADICAL & THE PINK SOCKS - Rehearsal Pianist (2022, Workshop, ROYO)
SOHO HOUSE OPEN MIC - Resident Pianist/Co-Host (2022-2023, Soho House Greek Street)
WEST END OPEN MIC - Resident Pianist/Co-Host (2021-2022, Skylight Peckham)
OXFORD IMPS - Improv Pianist (2018-2020, Award-Winning Improv Comedy)

Download CV

For any work inquiries please contact

joshfjcottell@gmail.com

Headshot by Ben Wulf (2022)

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