Jerome Simas

Jerome Simas is a clarinetist and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a multifaceted career spanning orchestral performance, chamber music, and teaching. Since 2012 he has served as Solo Bass Clarinetist and Utility Clarinetist with the San Francisco Symphony. Prior to that, he held principal clarinet positions with the California Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Monterey Symphony, and IRIS Orchestra.

He has also performed with leading ensembles including the Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet, Skywalker Ranch motion pictures orchestras, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and the Sun Valley Music Festival. He is a member of the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble and regularly performs with the Sierra Chamber Society and in the San Francisco Symphony’s chamber music series. His honors include the Grand Prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, First Prize at the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize in the International Clarinet Association’s Young Artist Competition. He has appeared at renowned festivals and programs including the Marlboro Music Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, and the National Repertory Orchestra. A highlight of his early career was recording Rhapsody in Blue and Ebony Concerto as a fellow with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas, released on RCA Victor Red Seal’s New World Jazz.

Mr. Simas is Chair of the Woodwind Department and Professor of Clarinet and Chamber Music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He also coaches the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and works with community and youth ensembles throughout the greater Bay Area. His teaching focuses on building efficient technique while fostering confidence and musical expression. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Cleveland Institute.