Simeon Broom has recently returned to NZ after 10 years in Europe. He began the violin at the age of 4 years in Auckland, and completed Performance Violin studies at Auckland University with Mary O’Brien, during which he won the inaugural University Concerto Competition, with the Elgar Violin Concerto. Simeon received a D.A.A.D (German Academic Exchange) Scholarship and moved to Germany where he studied at the Hochschule für Musik, Düsseldorf with Professor Ida Bieler, and played in the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne as well as performances with ‘Live Music Now’. In 2004 Simeon was finalist in the ‘Young Musicians’ Competition New Zealand’, and has performed as soloist with orchestras both in New Zealand and in Germany.
In 2006, Simeon moved to London to complete his Masters at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with David Takeno and Jack Glickman. He was finalist in the Beares Solo Bach Competition in London and winner of the Sonata Competition at the North London Music Festival. He then spent several years freelancing and has played in orchestras such as the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), English National Opera, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic and the Sydney Symphony, before taking up his position in the NZSO.
Simeon is a keen chamber musician and recently toured with his wife, pianist Rachel Church, for Chamber Music New Zealand as part of the Akoka Quartet. He is also part of the Aroha String Quartet.