Simon Smith is a violinist of wide ranging interests. He has been active as a performer and teacher worldwide for 30 years. In the UK he has performed as a soloist with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the Philharmonia, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and the Orchestra of St John’s Smith Square; recitals have included the Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room. Abroad he has performed extensively across Russia with recitals and concerto performances from Moscow to Vladivostock, and played concertos in Hong Kong and Beijing. His repertoire ranges across the entire spectrum from Baroque to contemporary and he is currently commissioning a number of new works.

A committed chamber musician, Simon was a member of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Octet, performing in concert halls and broadcasts worldwide. Other projects include an album of duos and trios by Zoltán Kodály and Ernő Dohnányi.

Simon has been a professor at the Birmingham Conservatoire for twelve years. He has given masterclasses throughout the UK and in Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Singapore. Future plans include further visits to Holland, Belgium and Ireland and return trips to Russia and Hong Kong.

Simon was leader of Chamber Orchestra Anglia from its inception and is now its Artistic Director.

Simon studied with David Martin and Frederick Grinke, and then with Yfrah Neaman at the Guildhall School of Music, where he was awarded the Gold Medal. He received a DAAD scholarship to continue his studies in Germany with Wanda Wilkomirska.

He plays on a Rogeri violin, made in 1708.