Meet Our artistic Director, Simon Holt

“I love being a part of Salt Marsh Opera, both because of its commitment to provide performance opportunities to emerging artists and its incredible supporters, each of whom shares our vision of nurturing young talent. Over the past several years I’ve had the pleasure of helping shape our educational program into an all-inclusive, hands-on experience enjoyed by over 5,000 students in Southeastern Connecticut and Southern Rhode Island, supported by dozens of educators and administrators.  I am proud of the quality of our summer programs and the experience we cultivate for our audiences in Watch Hill, Old Saybrook and Stonington.  Each year I am in awe of our mainstage opera, featuring acclaimed singers from around the world, top-notch regional orchestral players and experienced production staff that bring our performances to life.”  - Simon Holt, Artistic Director and General Manager.

Simon Holt received undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Royal College of Music in London and a postgraduate teaching certificate from Goldsmiths’ College, London University.  He is also a prizewinner at the Royal College of Organists in London.  Simon has given organ recitals in Westminster Abbey, St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, numerous Cathedrals and the Royal Albert Hall in London.  He has performed several times on national UK radio and television and toured Europe extensively, including performances in Notre-Dame, Sacré Coeur and the Basilica San Marco in Venice.

In 1999 Simon and his family moved to Stonington, CT, where he became Director of Music at Calvary Church.  In September 2000 he became Director of Music at Pine Point School in Stonington and collaborated with Calvary Church to found Calvary Music School, for which he was Executive Director until 2010.  That same year he also founded Salt Marsh Opera, serving as Music Director and becoming Artistic Director in 2005.

In 2007 Simon was appointed Director of Music in School at St. Thomas Choir School in New York City.  In 2012, after two years as Chair of the Fine Arts Department and Head of Music at Saint James School in Hagerstown, MD, Simon returned to Connecticut and became Executive Director of The United Theatre in Westerly, RI.  Currently, Simon is Executive Director of Thames Valley Music School, Director of Music at The Williams School in New London, CT, Director of Music at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, CT and Music Director of Cappella Cantorum in Deep River, CT.