Biography

•  1978- Studied classical guitar with Bob Oort in Sydney, Australia. 

• Played in the school stage bands and rock bands, both on electric guitar and bass. Also became proficient at playing drums.

•  1983 Started playing bass professionally in jazz bands with such Sydney based notables as Daniel Barnett, Dr Martin Hardy, Brenda Gifford (Mixed Relations), and Joern Harris (The Moods).

•  Studied musicianship at the NSW Conservatorium of Music in Sydney.

•  1986 Bachelor of Music degree, studying performance on electric and double bass at the Rubin Academy of Music and Dance in Jerusalem, Israel.

• Became involved in Israeli and Jewish music, performing in wedding bands and tourist show bands. 

• 1990 to 1991 Resident bass player at the Jerusalem Khan Theatre www.khan.co.il/home_english.php 

• 1992 to 1993 Resident bass player in the internationally acclaimed tourist show Horah Israel, an Israeli dancing troop spectacular that toured internationally every year. Simon toured with them in France and Germany, and recorded a souvenir video of the show entitled "We Are Here" Ensemble Presents: HORAH ISRAEL.

• 1989 Started to give guitar lessons, as well as directing youth bands in an after-school music centre. 

• 1994 Returned to Australia

• Played mostly bass and doubling on guitar in various covers bands, including Vogue (formally Princess), On Heat, and a concept band called Sister Act performing hits from the movie, performing in pubs and clubs around New South Wales. 

• 1996 Tour to Papua New Guinea with Princess.

• Continued to teach guitar in a music store and in his private studio at home.

• 1997 Completed the Master of Teaching Degree, University of Sydney.

• 1997 to 2018 - Classroom music teaching in both secondary and primary schools, whilst continuing to teach guitar part-time.

• 2002, Completed Level 1 of The Australian Kodaly Certificate in Music Education.  

• 2008 Completed the Drum Circle Music Course (DCM) presented by Kalani Music. See www.kalanimusic.com 

• 2009 -2010 Guitar and bass tutor at Masada College on Sydney’s North Shore, directing the Guitar Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble and Klezmer Ensemble, at Wahroonga Preparatory School, leading the guitar ensemble.

• 2009 Completed Level 3 of the Orff Schulwerk Music and Movement Teacher Certification Course. He is member of the Orff Schulwerk Association of NSW Inc., and contributes lesson ideas to the quarterly bulletin. See www.ancos.org.au 

• Continues to perform in Sydney bands, too many to mention, however, notable names include Daniel Weltlinger (violin) and Nigel Date (guitar).

• 2011 Stage Manager, "Stars Of The Future Stage" Manly Jazz Festival.

• 2014 Completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Special Education.

• 2017  Completed Suzuki Teacher training Cert III