• Simon Boyar

The music world is embracing a young 21st century musical visionary, Simon Boyar. An award-winning artist, Simon is on a mission. He is transforming the cult status of the marimba. With his passionate pioneering spirit and unequalled talent, Simon is exciting audiences and bringing the marimba into the forefront of popular culture.

The 05-06 season heralds the start of Mr. Boyar's quest. In late autumn, Simon will be the featured guest artist with the Korean Symphony orchestra in Seoul, Korea performing Andrew Thomas's "Loving Mad Tom Marimba Concerto" under the baton of the composer, Dr. Thomas. In early February 06, Simon will be traveling to Katowicz, Poland to craft the first ever recording of this groundbreaking concerto with The Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra of Katowicz. Between his international engagements, Simon will be performing double concertos with the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band in his hometown Hillsborough, New Jersey.

In May, Simon will perform at the Juilliard School. As a tribute to the school's 100th anniversary, Simon is creating an innovative interdisciplinary program, which will have the marimba as its centerpiece and driving force. The by invitation only showcase will be attending by music industry leaders and music patrons alike. His intent is to plant a Jack-in-the-Beanstalk type of seed for the certain blossoming of the public's love for the marimba. It is solely with this in mind that Simon is championing this innovative collaborative showcase.

An accomplished soloist, Simon Boyar has appeared as a marimba soloist with The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the esteemed Sergiu Comissiona, and as a percussion soloist with The Juilliard Orchestra with Maestro George Manahan of the NYC Opera. He has performed with The American Symphony Orchestra, The New Jersey Symphony, The Riverside Symphonia, The North Jersey Philharmonic, The Juilliard Percussion ensemble, and Kamen Production Company. He is a DCI alumnus of The Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps Drum Line 96-97 and is was a member of the progressive classical ensemble, Gotham5 which has performed at Studio 54 and subsequently appeared on the popular "Page 6" section of the New York Post. Simon has also been a guest soloist with the Exit 9 Percussion Group.

In May 2005 at a Juilliard recital, Simon presented the world premiere of three new marimba works by Javier Diaz, Davide Zannoni, and one of the most revered marimba composers in the world, Andrew Thomas. Additionally, Mr. Zannoni's work is the first in a series of solo marimba works commissioned by Mr. James Preiss (Steve Reich Ensemble, Mannes and Manhattan Schools of Music) to expand the repertoire for the marimba.

Among his many honors, Simon has been a finalist in the Kingsville International Concerto Competition and was asked to be one of the premiere participants in the first Zeltsman Marimba Festival. While studying at Juilliard, Simon's scholarships and awards included the Pfeiffenberger Memorial Scholarship, the WMR Hearst Scholarship, the EM Satterlee Scholarship, The Irving Ruckens Scholarship, and The Henry Aklerman Trust. His teachers have included J.R. Thompson, David Fein, Greg Giannascoli, Greg Zuber, and the legendary Joe Morello. Simon received his undergraduate degree from The Juilliard School in May 2003. Upon graduation, he was invited to join the Juilliard Pre-College faculty and now serves as both Director of the Juilliard Pre-College Percussion Ensemble as well as Chairman of the Juilliard Pre-College Percussion Department. He is the youngest person to have been named to this position. Simon is also very active as a teacher outside of Juilliard as he has given masterclasses at New Jersey City University, Hillsborough High School, and Immaculata High School. Simon is also a member of the REACH (respect education through the arts challenge) performing ensemble, a comprehensive educational program involving over 250 schools. In addition to touring, teaching, and chairing the department, he has found time to record for Naxos, API Records, and EMW Records. Currently, Simon happily resides in New York City.