Brad Cohen began his professional life as a chorister at Sydney Cathedral, which led to organ lessons with the organist Michael Hemans. He was Organ Scholar at Sydney Cathedral at the age of 14, organist at the Garrison Church at 15, and at 16 won a scholarship to The King's School Canterbury. He became an Associate of the Royal College of Organists in 1984.
In 1985 he was elected Paddy Organ Scholar at St John's College Oxford, where he began to work as a concert continuo player. At the Royal College of Music, he studied harpsichord with Robert Woolley, and has continued to direct from the harpsichord and organ throughout his career. He has directed Il barbiere di Siviglia, Figaro and Così fan tutte from the continuo, as well as directing concerts with orchestras including the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the East of England Orchestra. Most recently Brad directed performances of La Cenerentola at Malmö Opera from the fortepiano.
April 2023