Kristen Simpson
Conductor and Musical Director, Maruki Community Orchestra
When Kristen was deciding what what to study at university, career aptitude tests advised she consider two very different career paths: a scientist or a conductor. While she chose science, Kristen continued to play music in community groups and has appreciated the opportunity to conduct the Maruki Community Orchestra. Kristen has enjoyed working with the orchestra to conduct some of the great works in the classical repertoire such as Beethoven Symphony 3 and Tchaikovsky Symphony 5. In particular, Kristen had the privilege of conducting the orchestra for Dvorak’s violin concerto featuring John Gould as the soloist, which was the last violin concerto John performed.
Kristen plays both wind and string instruments. Her main instrument is currently the cello, which she has played with Maruki since 2015. Her favourite symphony to perform with Maruki was Dvorak’s 9th Symphony (“From the New World”) and she also previously performed the cello solo in the William Tell Overture.