BRET SIMNER
Double Bass

Capriccio Basel & Cantus Firmus Barockorchester, the Juilliard School Pre-College

Bret Simner was born in Queens, New York. He received his Bachelor and Master degrees from the Juilliard School, his Doctorate (ABD) from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and Fortbildingsstudium at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (Basel, Switzerland).

Mr. Simner's additional study includes the Eastman School of Music, Aspen Music Festival, Internationale Händel-Akademie Karlsruhe, Jeune Orchestre Atlantique, l'Académie Baroque Européenne d'Ambronay, and l'Académie Mozart Européenne.

His principal teachers have been Eugene Levinson (Principal Bassist, New York Philharmonic), Joseph Carver (L'Orchestre des Champs-Élysées), David Sinclair (L'Ensemble Baroque de Limoges), François Rabbath, James VanDemark and Jeffrey Levine.

Mr. Simner has performed with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles on both modern and early instruments in the U.S. and throughout Europe including: New Jersey Symphony, New York Virtuosi, International Sejong Soloists, the Western Wind, Antichi Strumenti, Cantus Firmus Barockorchester, Basler Madrigalisten, La Chapelle Anciene, Capriccio Basel, and the Opéra Théâtre de Besançon.

Bret has served on the faculty of the pre-college division of the Juilliard School, the Rivertowns Arts Council, Bronxville Schools, and the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival. His additional academic pursuits include a 2001 collaboration with Eugene Levinson in the publication of The School of Agility with Carl Fischer.