Simon Williams

Simon is a dedicated musician and educator whose passion for music has been a lifelong journey. His musical path began at the age of nine at the Nelson School of Music (NCMA), where he played in the Nelson Regional Youth Orchestra. During his teenage years, Simon honed his skills through formal classical clarinet training while also exploring the saxophone. After serving for two years with the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Simon expanded his expertise by earning a Diploma in Jazz Studies from Christchurch CTIP.

Simon’s career in music education is marked by innovation and dedication. He worked as a full-time teacher for the Nelson School of Music’s (NCMA) Contemporary Music course. Currently, Simon teaches woodwind and guitar across primary, intermediate, and secondary schools in the Nelson/Tasman area, as well as privately at the NCMA, while also working as a musician and musical director.

His performance experience spans diverse genres and stages, from playing classical clarinet with the Nelson Symphony Orchestra to leading jazz ensembles such as “The Nelson Jazz Quartet” and performing as part of the electronic dance band “Rabbit Hole.” He has performed and toured with notable acts like Sharon O’Neill, played at a jazz festival in Northern California, USA, and performed in Tokyo, Japan. Simon also directed the Nelson Jazz Club Big Band, the Nelson Youth Jazz Orchestra, and many secondary school jazz bands over the years.

Committed to fostering a love for music, Simon emphasizes strong technical foundations, goal-oriented lessons, and musical expression in his teaching.

He shares his expertise on his YouTube channel, “Si Musical Journey“, providing resources for technique and improvisation to inspire musicians at all levels.