Robert Simonds is excited to return to Cabrillo this summer for a fifth season. During the rest of the year he is the Principal Second Violin of the Louisville Orchestra, another ensemble with a great legacy of contemporary music. As a solo recitalist, Rob continues a commitment to new music with an emphasis on American styles.
Of particular interest to him is where classical composition and performance intersect with vernacular styles. In addition to seeking new works influenced by folk music, he’s gone directly to the source and collaborated with Joe Pug, Ben Sollee, Tobie Milford and The Low Anthem.
Rob began his professional orchestral career with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and later held a longtime position in The Phoenix Symphony. For the last few years he’s performed in the winter music festival, Arizona Music Fest and for several summers was a member of the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Rob began studying the violin at a young age with his grandmother. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Rob earned two degrees in violin performance studying with Dr. Won-Bin Yim and Dorothy Delay. His violin is from Reggio Emilia in northern Italy, made by Mario Bedocchi in 1927.
