DeAndre Simmons

American bass-baritone DeAndre Simmons is quickly gaining recognition for his velvety voice, incisive musicianship, and captivating stage presence. He has already performed with success with several companies and symphony orchestras including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Columbia Pro Cantare, Curtis Opera Theatre, Collegiate Chorale of New York, New Jersey Concert Opera, Bohème Opera, The Kansas City Symphony, and others.

DeAndre Simmons’ 2007-2008 season includes return engagements with the Opera Company of Philadelphia singing the role of Count Ceprano in their new production of Rigoletto then joining the cast of David DiChiera’s new opera Cyrano as Carbon and Inconnu in its East Coast Premiere. He also covers the role of Count DeGuiche as sung by bass Peter Volpe in the same opera. DeAndre goes on to join conductor Lorin Maazel and the Chateauville Foundation in their production of Britten’s The Beggar’s Opera singing Wat Dreary. This season DeAndre travels to Canada to sing the role of Cal in Regina with Pacific Opera Victoria. This marks the operas Canadian Premiere. The performance is also being recorded for broadcast across Canada. The summer of 2008 finds him undertaking yet another premiere while singing the role of Randolph in the West Coast Premiere of William Bolcom’s A Wedding with the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. A frequent recitalist, DeAndre rounds out his year with recitals in Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, and San Diego.

A finalist in the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2008 Greenfield Competition, DeAndre also counts being a winner of the George London Encouragement Grant and a grant from the Singer’s Development Foundation among his list of awards and honors. He is an alumni of The Curtis Institute of Music.