North Shore · Boston · New England
Music Director,
Theatre Educator,
Pianist.
Simon Byrne is a British-born music director and theatre educator based on the North Shore of Boston, Massachusetts. Since 2019, he has been music director for the education programs at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA — while also working across the Greater Boston area as an MD, pit musician, cabaret pianist, accompanist and audition coach.
Selected credits
Music director — North Shore Music Theatre
Other roles — North Shore Music Theatre
Cabaret MD & pianist
Audition coaching and accompanist
Simon coaches professional actors to put their best foot forward in auditions — covering singing technique, repertoire selection, and performance preparation.
Cabaret for the LGBTQ+ community at NSMT
OUT AT THE NORTH SHORE
Out at the North Shore — known as Out Night — is a free post-show celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community, held in the Broadway Club at NSMT following select performances each season. Out Nights are always held on the second Thursday of each show's run.
Each evening features live music, open mic, themed cocktails, and special guests from the cast. Simon serves as music director and cabaret host, curating a one-off evening of musical entertainment by top class performers.
Sponsored by North Shore Pride. Open to all — bring your sheet music for the open mic.
2026 dates
✦ Christmas Carol Out Night falls on a Friday
On Instagram
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Teaching at NSMT
Since 2019, Simon has led music direction for NSMT's education programs, working with young performers across spring shows, summer intensives, and fall classes.
Teaching in the round demands something different from young actors. There are no wings, no upstage safety net — just the clock system, eight entry points, a hydraulic lift descending fifteen feet to the trap and orchestra pit, and the constant need to keep sight lines moving. It's disorienting but also liberating as a performer.
“NSMT is one of the most technically demanding venues for young performers — 1,500 seats, theatre in the round, and an audience in every direction.”
As a British transplant to the US, Simon also brings specialist skills to dialect coaching – working with the professional cast of NSMT's A Christmas Carol every season since 2021, teaching Received Pronunciation and Cockney to actors preparing for one of New England's most beloved holiday traditions.
Teaching credits
Simon has taught actors that have gone on to perform professionally in the West End and on Broadway. He has also led workshops and masterclasses alongside Broadway performers including:
