Hi, I'm ross, and I do a lot of different things.
As a MUSICAL THEATRE WRITER, I’ve created the musical GUN & POWDER with playwright Angelica Chéri. Now running at Paper Mill Playhouse, the production was named a NY Times Critics' Pick: "With a wide-ranging, powerhouse score...a big-throated American musical filled with star-making roles for Black women." Other highlights along the way include a sold out run at DC's Signature Theatre, the NAMT Festival, Lincoln Center’s Broadway’s Future Songbook series, and the prestigious Richard Rodgers Award. I'm also writing the new original musical ESCAPELAND with playwright Charlie Oh.
As a MUSIC PRODUCER, I’ve collaborated with Tony-winning and Grammy-nominated artists, including alums of Broadway and The Voice, to bring their artistic visions to life. With the music collective RANGE, I composed, arranged, and produced national sync placements for Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, Billboard, Playbill, E! Network, and a YouTube channel totaling 225 million views.
As a SINGER-SONGWRITER, I perform my original music around NYC and LA. Inspired by artist-producers like Jon Bellion, Charlie Puth, Jack Antonoff, and Ryan Tedder, I wrote and produced my EP, Three Red Hearts, which combines my love for pop/R&B with soaring vocals, ear-catching harmonies, and vulnerable storytelling.
As a COMPOSER + ARRANGER, I make music for commercials, plays, podcasts, jingles, cruise shows, ad agencies, and brands. Past clients include KFC, NJ Lottery, Celebrity Cruises, RWS Entertainment Group, and Disney. One of my proudest achievements was producing the epic mash-up that “dropkicked” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s heart.
As a VOICE COACH + TEACHER, I've helped clients book roles on Broadway (DEAR EVAN HANSEN, WICKED, MY FAIR LADY, CHICAGO, WAR PAINT, FUNNY GIRL), National Tours (HEDWIG, RENT), and regionally. I received my voice teacher certification through New York Vocal Coaching and recently served on faculty at Syracuse University. I offer one-on-one sessions through my vocal studio.
My training includes an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU, BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University, and the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. I split my time between New York and Los Angeles.
So get in touch and let’s see if we can collaborate together on something awesome.
Gun & powder
GUN & POWDER is a new musical inspired by the true story of Mary and Martha Clarke, African American twin sisters who take extraordinary measures to settle their mother’s sharecropper debt and save her home.
In 1893 Texas, the Sisters Clarke—passing as white—embark on a remarkable Wild West adventure that examines race, family, and identity with two electrifying women who transformed from farm girls to outlaws to legends.
Featuring book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri (a real-life descendant of Mary and Martha Clarke), music by Ross Baum, and direction by Tony nominee Stevie Walker-Webb (Ain’t No Mo’). GUN & POWDER was developed through the SigWorks: Musical Theater Lab and made its World Premiere at the Signature Theatre in 2020.
GUN & POWDER is currently running at Paper Mill Playhouse through May 5th, in association with P3 Productions.
Ross Baum & Angelica Chéri
Photo by Andy Henderson
Praise for Gun & Powder:
"A big-throated American musical filled with star-making roles for Black women. The type of audacious and rollicking story that's too often missing from American stages." - The New York Times
"Absolutely indelible and bursting with lively music. Baum’s score paints a cohesive, near-comprehensive sonic picture of Black American music, with soul, blues, and R&B cohabiting with banjos, spirituals, and Big Easy trumpets." - Theatrely
"Like a shot in the dark, Gun & Powder arrives as one of the most invigorating and promising new musicals of the last several seasons." - TheaterMania
"An exhilarating musical in a marvelously sung world premiere." - Washington Post
"A provocative stunner that illuminates coming to terms with who one is and one’s personal truth. Gun & Powder is unafraid. It does not pull punches." - DC Metro Theater Arts
"★★★★★... hands-down one of the best musicals I’ve seen in the past decade, with vocal performances that will leave you breathless. Baum’s inspiring score exhibits rare, exhilarating, talent." - DC Theatre Scene
"One of the best theatrical experiences you will ever have...Mark my words Chéri and Baum are the next big writing team for musical theatre. Go see this show and say 'I knew them before they were famous.' You won't regret doing so." - BroadwayWorld
![SIX in 6 minutes - RANGE [a cappella cover]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zsJJd5BWA0U/mqdefault.jpg)
![2002 - RANGE [Anne Marie cover]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vrCPXWr7qjk/mqdefault.jpg)
![You Will Be Found - RANGE [Dear Evan Hansen cover]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fN4IuiFEt9g/mqdefault.jpg)
![Oscars Medley - RANGE [E! Live from the Red Carpet at 2015 Academy Awards]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Re68ew_KZKs/mqdefault.jpg)
![Meadowlark (cover) - RANGE [Live @ SubCulture]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4zqC3Ni9kOk/mqdefault.jpg)
ross baum Vocal studio
As a vocal coach and teacher, I draw on my expansive background as a performer, composer, vocal producer, and music director to offer the most personalized and tailored experience possible. I want to hear what you need, and we can tackle your material from every angle - from technique to musicianship to interpretation and acting. My clients have booked roles on Broadway (Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked, My Fair Lady, Chicago, War Paint, Funny Girl), National Tours (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rent, The Band's Visit), and regionally as a direct result of our work together. And as the best teachers are also the best students, I received my voice teacher certification through New York Vocal Coaching to deepen my own knowledge of the human voice, and recently served on faculty at Syracuse University's Department of Drama.
I offer lessons in-person in Los Angeles and NYC, or virtually.
I am proud to call myself a one-stop shop for all things vocal.
So take a look below at everything I offer, and let's see how I can help you.
Services
offered:
Vocal Coaching:
Have an audition, callback, or performance coming up? Let's prepare!
Voice Lessons:
Work on vocal technique and strengthening the muscles of your voice.
Vocal Arranging:
Hire me to arrange vocals for any project, whether it's a song, concert, album, or entire musical.
Vocal Reel/Demo Recording:
Record individual songs or a 3-5 song vocal reel for promo, submissions, session work, etc. Includes editing, mixing, and mastering.
Transcriptions and Audition Cuts:
If you can't find the sheet music to a song you want to sing, I'll make it for you!
Click here to request sheet music.
Custom Arrangement or Orchestration:
Let me help you bring your musical ideas to life.
Session Singing:
Hire me to sing or assemble a group of singers for your session. Or I can arrange and record my own background vocals for you remotely.
*For any custom projects not bookable directly through the scheduler, e-mail me at ross@rossbaummusic.com.
Photo by Sammy Lopez
Hear from
my clients:
Ross has helped me achieve dreams within my career that I never thought would be possible. His musicianship, passion, precision and immense support as an artist towards other artists is unparalleled. I will always relish in the opportunity to work with him.
- Hannah Corneau,
Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway
Ross is one of the greatest vocal coaches I have had the pleasure of working with. Whenever I leave a session with him I feel prepared, confident and comfortable with the material so I can go into the audition and focus on telling the story.
- Sara Kapner,
The Band's Visit National Tour
Ross is always my number one pick for coaching musical selections and has helped me book three Broadway shows. Not only is he an incredibly proficient musician, but he’s dedicated to storytelling and a master of vocal stylings — a combination that challenges me to crystallize my intention and work towards it honestly. In addition to his great knowledge and talent, his energy is warm and relaxed, which always makes me feel at ease and comfortable to take risks in my exploration of the material.
- Mary Claire King,
Chicago on Broadway