Cellist Simon Housner is forging a diverse career with his passion for sharing music through a variety of innovative platforms. He is pursuing a Master of Music under the tutelage of Desmond Hoebig at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Previously, Simon earned his B.M. with a minor in philosophy at the Oberlin College Conservatory where he studied with Darrett Adkins.
A seasoned collaborator, Simon has performed chamber music alongside renowned artists such as Martin Beaver, Richard O’Neill, Kathleen Winkler, Ivo-Jan van der Werff, Toby Appel, Marilyn McDonald, and Chris Anderson. Simon also collaborated with Alex Kerr and Paul Ellison in a conductorless chamber orchestra as principal cellist of the 2019 Sarasota Music Festival Orchestra. Simon has toured globally as a chamber and orchestral musician. Most recently, Simon joined Holland America Line’s resident piano trio for their 2024 Grand Australia & New Zealand, Panama Canal, and Atlantic Coast voyages.
Among his performance highlights, Simon played for the President of Iceland, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, and WQXR New York Classical Music Radio Station. Simon was invited to perform for Vienna Philharmonic principal cellist Tamás Varga as part of the Vienna Philharmonic Society Masterclass Series hosted by Carnegie Hall.
During his studies, Simon held principal positions in the Oberlin Orchestra, Oberlin Contemporary Ensemble, Temple Music Prep YCO, and Philadelphia Sinfonia. Simon has performed professionally with Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Symphony in C, Apollo Chamber Players, and as principal cellist of the 2023 Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra. Other festival engagements include the Aspen Music Festival Fellowship, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Summer Institute, Music Academy of the West, Manchester Music Festival, Credo Music, and Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of USA.
You can find Simon’s 2024 Summer Music Competition cello performance here.