Simon Kelly is a London-based flautist and woodwind doubler. His most recent engagements include Company (RADA), Pal Joey (Tower Theatre) and Legally Blonde (UMMTS), the latter of which he served as Assistant Musical Director. Having performed in pit bands for various agents showcases, cabarets and reviews, he is versatile across many musical theatre genres.

 

As a soloist, Simon performs classical recitals on Fred Olsen, Cunard and P&O cruise lines and has worked with conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Ryan Wrigglesworth, Alice Farnham and Martin Lowe. Simon received highly commended honours in the 2022 Jonathan Myall Piccolo Prize and was a recipient of a concerto award with Manchester University Music Society.

 

As well as a classical performer, Simon has a keen interest in composing and performing contemporary and electroacoustic music and introduces it to his own recital programmes. He most recently doubled on piccolo, flute, alto and bass flute in a performance of Helena Tulve’s ‘Abysses’ with the Manson ensemble, and his own compositions were overseen by Professor David Berezan and Ricardo Climent at Manchester’s NOVARS electroacoustic research centre.

 

Simon graduated with a first class degree in Music from The University of Manchester, studying flute with Gavin Osborn. He later pursued a masters degree in Flute Performance at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutorage of Karen Jones and Laura Jellicoe, whilst studying piccolo and saxophone with Patricia Morris and Huw Wiggin respectively.

 

Outside of music Simon is a keen rugby union supporter both on and off the field.