MUSICAL PRACTICE           

Simone has an active interest in playing classical guitar (she currently plays on a Gran Concierto by Dieter Hopf), and particularly enjoys the repertoires by Spanish composers Fernando Sor and Francesco Tarrega, and Latin American composers including Heitor Villa-Lobos and Alfonso Montes.                                                    

DANCE

Simone is fascinated by the sounds, rhythms and expressive qualities of flamenco dance, and her weekly activities include at least one class or workshop at the Instituto Cervantes in Manchester.    

TRAVEL

Another one of Simone's interests is travel, and she is particularly fascinated by Arabic cultures, their people, language and musics. The photograph here depicts Simone in Marrakesh in 2002.    

MUSIC FESTIVALS 

Simone is a keen festival goer, and she has enjoyed the annual WOMAD festival for more than 10 years now, particularly for the music, people, food and chilled atmosphere (photograph: WOMAD 2005).   

HIKING

At the end of a stressful week, Simone thoroughly enjoys driving into the countryside for a long hiking trip where she particularly appreciates the freshness of the English landscape and the tranquil atmosphere in contrast to everyday hectic city life.