Simon Thew

Australian Conductor Simon Thew assumed the role of Music Director and Chief Conductor of Houston Ballet in July 2024, having joined the company as Associate Conductor in 2022.

Mr. Thew was a regular guest conductor with The Australian Ballet between 2013 and 2016, conducting performances in most of the company’s seasons during that time. In 2017 he accepted an invitation to become The Australian Ballet’s assistant conductor, a position he held until mid 2022. During his time Mr. Thew worked with the Opera Australia Orchestra (formerly AOBO), Orchestra Victoria, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. He has also worked as a guest conductor, including English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Houston Ballet.

Mr. Thew was The Australian Ballet’s Conducting Fellow in 2011 and in the same year was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. In 2010 he held the Hephzibah Tintner Fellowship, which gave him performance and mentoring opportunities with The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, and the Sydney Symphony.  

Mr. Thew was an assistant conductor with Opera Australia on various productions between 2007 and 2010. In 2007 he was the first, and to date only, conductor to be awarded the Dame Joan Sutherland/Richard Bonynge Travel Scholarship from the Australian Opera Auditions Committee, which enabled further study in Europe, culminating in his position as musical intern at the Bayreuth Festival in 2008. 

Mr. Thew undertook studies in Sydney, Vienna, Berlin, and Barcelona with mentors including Sebastian Weigle, Nicolette Fraillon AM, Harry Spence Lyth, Richard Bonynge AC CBE, and John Hopkins AM OBE.  

Mr. Thew also has an active concert and recording conducting career and is committed to the education of young and early career conductors, instrumentalists, and composers. In 2022 Mr. Thew was invited to become a Director of the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival (ASBOF).

Photo credits:
Photo courtesy of Houston Ballet
Photo by Alana Campbell (2023)