Katy Richardson was born in North London but spent the majority of her childhood in Warwickshire. Having begun learning piano at an early age, she soon discovered an insatiable passion for music, going on to learn singing and several woodwind instruments throughout her childhood years. 

Katy studied at the University of Leeds, achieving BA Music with First Class Honours. Katy then graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts with PG (Dip) Musical Direction. She is passionate about contemporary musical theatre and new writing, whilst relishing in the discovery of new and emerging talent. She teaches at the Royal Academy of Music, in London.

Katy was the original musical director and creative team member for SIX the musical in the West End. SIX won 2 Tony Awards including Best Original Score, and was nominated for 5 Olivier Awards including Outstanding Achievement in Music and Best New Musical.

Katy is the UK musical supervisor for SIX the musical, and consulting music supervisor for Standing At The Sky’s Edge (Gillian Lynn Theatre). She was recently the musical supervisor for Bonnie & Clyde at the Garrick Theatre and on UK Tour, directed by Nick Winston. Bonnie & Clyde won ‘Best New Musical’ at the 2023 What’s On Stage Awards. Katy was also recently the musical supervisor for LIZZIE, directed by Will Whelton, at Southwark Playhouse, and RENT, directed by Luke Sheppard, at the Hope Mill Theatre. She was nominated for ‘Best Musical Director’ at the 2022 What’s On Stage Awards for RENT.

Recent work as musical supervisor includes: Your Lie In April (Harold Pinter Theatre), Standing At The Sky’s Edge (consulting music supervisor - Gillian Lynne Theatre), Your Lie In April in Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Rehab (Neon 194, directed by Gary Lloyd), Death Note in Concert (London Palladium, Lyric Theatre), LIZZIE (Southwark Playhouse & Hope Mill Theatre), SIX (Korea), Bonnie & Clyde (UK Tour, Garrick Theatre, Arts Theatre), SIX (Vaudeville Theatre & UK Tour), SIX: The Reunion Concert (Hampton Court Palace), RENT (Hope Mill Theatre, directed by Luke Sheppard).

Recent work as musical director includes: SIX (Vaudeville Theatre, Lyric Theatre, Arts Theatre, & 2018 UK Tour), Jersey Boys (Trafalgar Theatre), SIX: The Reunion Concert (Hampton Court Palace), Bonnie & Clyde in Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, directed by Nick Winston), Frank and Friends: Frank Wildhorn in Concert (Cadogan Hall), MT Fest 2021 - Millennials (Turbine Theatre, directed by Luke Sheppard), Rent (Hope Mill Theatre, directed by Luke Sheppard), Hair (Turbine Theatre, directed by Arlene Phillips), Natalie Paris in Concert (The Other Palace), An Evening with Aimie Atkinson (The Other Palace), Julian Fellowes’ The Wind in the Willows (Workshop), NewsRevue (Canal Café), Blues Brothers and The Rat Pack: Live (both C Scala, Edinburgh), Dracula (Arts Theatre/Latitude Festival),

As Assistant MD: Doctor Dolittle (UK Tour), Norma Jeane (The LOST Theatre)

As Composer and/or Arranger: Rehab (Neon 194), Bonnie & Clyde (additional arrangements - Garrick Theatre & Arts Theatre), The Theban Motherf***er (co-composer - Latitude Festival)

As Producer: Death Note: The Concept Album, Bonnie & Clyde West End Cast Recording