From Montreal to the UK - A global musician.

Simon-Philippe Allard was born in Quebec City (Canada) and had his first violin lesson at the age of five. Most of his music education was pursued in Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Music from McGill University (2000) where he graduated with High Distinction and then a Master of Music in Violin Performance (2003) and a Specialized Graduate Diploma in Orchestral Repertoire from Université de Montréal (2004).

In 2004, while still a student, he successfully auditioned for an orchestral position in Halifax (Canada) and was appointed Assistant Principal Second Violin with Symphony Nova Scotia, position that he held until 2016. 

In 2015, he put his Canadian career on hold and relocated to the United Kingdom.  To harmonize his playing style with the British tradition and expand his technical skills he pursued an advanced graduate training with violinist David Adams at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Cardiff) where he was the very first string player to be admitted in the Orchestral Performance Program. He graduated from the College in 2017. Simon-Philippe also benefited from the teachings of other prominent violinists including Lesley Hatfield, Itzhak Rashkovsky and Krysia Osostowicz.

After obtaining a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa he officially relocated to the UK in 2018.

First or second violin - Section player or Leader - Operatic, Ballet or Symphonic Repertoire - Chamber music - Recitals - A versatile and seasoned musician.

Simon-Philippe has been playing professionally for almost 25 years and has significant orchestral experience.

Classical musician at heart, he is nonetheless open to explore different styles and during his time in Halifax was a member of the Baroque N’Fiddle String Quartet, a traditional Celtic band, and recorded one album with them.

He has been Concertmaster of the Orchestre de l’Université de Montréal and of the Orchestre de la Francophonie with which he toured South Korea in September 2018. In April 2019, Simon-Philippe will lead the newly formed London-based Fidelio Orchestra.

At the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, he was admitted to the placement schemes at the Welsh National Opera Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Simon-Philippe also received many awards for his chamber music playing. During his studies in Wales he founded the Allard-Wong Duo and the Iris Piano Trio with pianist Melanie Wong and cellist Benjamin Jones with which he won the Cardiff Violins Prize. He also performed in several other chamber music groups at RWCMD with tutoring from members of the Gould Piano Trio, Schubert Ensemble and Emerson String Quartet.

In 2016 he was Leader of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Symphony and Chamber Orchestra as well as the Royal Welsh String Soloists with which he performed with Daniel Phillips and Henning Kraggerud. With this last ensemble he performed at Buckingham Palace for HRH The Prince of Wales.

Simon-Philippe has worked with the English National Ballet Philharmonic and Royal Ballet Sinfonia (both as guest Principal Second Violin) and also with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, the London Concert Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic, Scottish Opera, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Dedicated to his art, throughout his career he has always made a point to contribute to as many orchestras and festivals whenever opportunities arise or musicians are needed.

In Halifax, year after year he contributed to the summer Scotia Festival of Music. He is an alumnus of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the National Academy Orchestra in Hamilton, Ontario. In the UK, for the last three years he was invited to play with the St. Endellion Summer Festival Orchestra in Cornwall.

Simon-Philippe had the opportunity to perform with many conductors and directors including Franz-Paul Decker, Sir Mark Elder, Gavin Sutherland, Jacques Lacombe, Jeanne Lamon, Otto-Werner Mueller, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Martyn Brabbins, Ryan Wigglesworth, Kirill Karabits, as well as a vast array of musicians of all styles ranging from Renée Fleming to Lionel Richie. More recently he worked very closely with Daniel Phillips and Henning Kraggerud as Leader and Principal Second of the Royal Welsh College String Soloists.

Simon-Philippe is available for all sorts of freelance work across various musical disciplines, whether it's in a small or large ensemble for private functions.