Armand Simon

Armand Simon balances the roles of chamber musician, festival director, soloist, teacher, and director of an art academy.

He was born in Amsterdam in 1977 from Aruban parents and began his piano studies at the age of 12. After winning a prize at the Petrof Piano Competition, it became clear that a musical future was awaiting him. He studied at the Conservatory of Rotterdam with the Russian pianist Mila Baslawskaja and continued his studies at the Conservatory of Utrecht with professor Alan Weiss.

As a pianist, he has performed in The Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao, Venezuela, Colombia, USA and Belgium. In 2006, Mr. Simon was invited to perform for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. In 2007, he was invited to the prestigious “Festival del Nuevo Mundo” in Maracaibo.

In 2004, he returned to Aruba and devoted himself to the education and guidance of young promising talents on the island. In his role as ambassador of classical music in Aruba, Armand Simon created the successful concept "2classic4u?" (2005), and founded the Crescendo foundation in 2006.

Armand Simon is the artistic director of the Aruba Piano Festival. Under his leadership, the festival has grown from a small local event to an internationally acclaimed festival which is considered to be the most important classical event in the region.

In 2010 he founded the Da Vinci Academy, an independent institute dedicated to the inspiration and expression of intellectual and artistic curiousity. His aim is not only to teach "how" but to cultivate the "why," forming a deep appreciation for art.