We are delighted to welcome Simon Hewitt Jones as Orchestra Leader for the Cambridge Philharmonic’s 2026–27 season. An English violinist with a remarkable breadth of artistic experience, Simon brings a dynamic blend of classical excellence, cross‑disciplinary creativity, and deep commitment to musical education.
Simon performs extensively across the UK with London Concertante, often as leader or soloist, and holds key leadership roles as Concertmaster of the Guildford Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Leader of the Worthing Philharmonic. His musical life is refreshingly wide‑ranging: he is also a violinist with House of Light, a Berlin‑based new wave and shoegaze rock band.
As a session musician and recording artist, Simon has contributed to projects with artists as diverse as Massive Attack, Ed Sheeran, Deltron3030, the Medici Quartet, and Sir John Tavener. His work has earned a BBC Premiere Award, an acclaimed solo recording with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, and numerous broadcasts across TV and radio. He has appeared at leading festivals including Spitalfields, Aldeburgh, Henley and Gregynog, and performed in many of the UK’s major concert halls and cathedrals.
Alongside performing, Simon is a passionate educator and workshop leader, working across all levels of music education in the UK and Ireland — from early years and primary to SEN and teacher training. He has spent over a decade contributing to cultural development programmes in Palestine, and his expertise extends into film and television, where he has served as a music consultant and actor coach for major productions by Disney, Netflix and others.
Simon is also the founder of ViolinSchool, a leading provider of adult violin education, and previously worked as a researcher at the Royal Academy of Music.
We are thrilled to welcome Simon to Cambridge Philharmonic and look forward to the artistry, leadership and imagination he will bring to the season ahead.
Find out more about Simon HERE