About Simone

Her career has made a profound impact around the world, inspiring countless individuals through the art of song and storytelling. Her ability to master multiple genres including gospel, jazz, soul, funk, pop, and R&B is exceptional, and renowned in the music industry. Due to her training in classical piano and voice, she occasionally returns to her roots on very special occasions.

Simone’s upcoming projects for 2024 include her show, “The Great Ladies of Jazz,” and in 2025 as well as featuring on the Bravo Performing Arts Cruise to Noumea and New Caledonia, she will also launch her show, “Unforgettable” in various venues, performing songs from The American Songbook.

Simone’s 5^th studio album, “The Art of Collaboration” is a celebration of her career. It features sixty of Australia’s top Jazz Musicians including Tommy Emmanuel, James Morrison, Rai Thistlewayte, and Paul Grabowsky. The album reimagines iconic Australian songs into a contemporary jazz style, and includes Simone’s original music. The epitome of all Simone holds dear, it is recognised as a work of musical excellence. Her voice gently glides, bends, and powerfully soars, and it captures the listener with transformative melodies, where the joy of sharing a song with friends and colleagues is evident. The album is an unprecedented project in her nation. It is a vision Simone pursued, as she believes in the musical talent in Australia, and she desired to bring the genre of contemporary jazz into the spotlight.

The Art of Collaboration was the #1 ARIA Highest Selling Australian Jazz Album of 2022, and was entered into 4 categories for the Grammys.

A homegrown Aussie girl, Simone’s dedication to music from a young age opened up opportunities for her. While studying for her music degree at Southern Cross University, Simone won the prestigious Nescafe Big Break competition. She was the first Australian ever awarded a scholarship to attend The Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts, where she was personally invited by the former Dean, Dr Warwick Carter, after her audition. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Music, majoring in Voice.

This led to her being the first ever jazz vocalist to obtain a Masters of Music Research Degree (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she was mentored by the late legendary singer Kerrie Biddell, who was the focus of Simone’s research. She received a High Distinction.

Simone won an academic grant, and was invited to present her research at the Auckland University for the 40^th Australian and New Zealand Musicological Society Conference.

While in the United States, Simone dazzled audiences and launched her first two albums Take My Love and Make It Happen.

Having performed internationally in countless top venues both solo and with exceptional musicians in Japan, China, Europe, and USA, Simone truly encompasses world class vocals. She is known to perform with the absolute best musicians, who are a perfect match for this Australian songstress. Her body of work is available around the globe, including China, with almost seventy of her songs on QQ Music - similar to Spotify. Incredibly rare for an Australian artist.

Simone has also been honoured to perform at many respected venues and events, such as multiple Parliament House engagements for State and National Leaders, and toured nationally with various artists including Max Pellicano on Elvis To The Max, Mark Anthony on his ELVIS ‘If I Can Dream’ show, and the multi-award-winning Grammy nominated artist Taylor Dayne, playing keyboard, and singing backing vocals.

She has also performed the Australian, New Zealand, and UK national anthems and hymns for the Anzac Day Dawn Service, and the National Anthem for the Rugby League.

Simone collaborated extensively with the American label, Signature Music Design for her EP ‘New Day’ to support Messenger Rescue - an organisation bringing freedom to those trapped in sex trafficking. The tracks weave a story of hope, compassion, and strength. Her voice speaks up for those who have no voice through this work, where she is an ambassador.

Her love of travel fuelled by her passion for music and justice, saw her continue across the world in 2018 to coach the globally renowned Watoto Children’s Choir in Uganda, as well as the teenage, and adult singers there.

Privileged to mentor the young singers, she also served the women in the Living Hope program, working to empower the women of Africa. Simone returned to Japan to speak and perform to raise awareness and funds for Messenger Rescue.

Her gospel track ‘Surely You Know’ produced by the highly respected musician and producer Ralph Marshall, is featured on the ‘Aussie Hope Album’ with all profits supporting Live Connection Aid projects in developing countries.
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Her EP, Keeping My Peace On, also launched to a full house and the songs are yet another example of Simone combining music and freedom.

Simone’s vocal expertise, coupled with her dynamic personality positions her as an expert in her field of coaching, having mentored vocalists and taught thousands of sessions across a three decade career. She authored her popular e-book How to Strengthen Your Voice in 5 Easy Steps, and has produced numerous resources to assist aspiring singers with vocal training and exercises. Passionate about helping and empowering people to find their true voice, her coaching also includes ‘Coaching Beyond the Song’.

As a total coach, Simone has a gift for bringing out the best in her clients, and she continues to encourage others to find their own authentic voice through her coaching programs. Simone is also a certified Life Coach dedicated to helping others.

Simone’s ability to create opportunities for people to grow creatively and transform their lives is harnessed through her carefully designed dynamic live vocal workshops, and her unique online course “You Have a Voice Academy”, as well as through her stunning natural world class retreats, which are life changing and inspirational.
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Heavenly Healing Retreat in Bali, Song of Your Life Retreat on the mid north coast of NSW, and You Have a Voice Summit in Port Douglas and Byron Bay, Australia, are outstanding programs.

Simone has penned a chapter of the bestselling book The Attitude of Gratitude alongside 11 international authors - a collection of inspirational stories showcasing the power of gratitude. Having shared insights from her personal journey through various life-altering challenges, her words encourage readers that there is no chain too strong, and no pit too deep.

As well as her career in music, Simone has a dozen TV commercials under her belt, catwalk and catalogue modelling, and multiple presenting, MC, speaking, and hosting engagements including Miss World Australia, Miss Sydney, Miss Lebanon Australia, and Miss Southern Highlands. Simone is an absolute natural on the stage, and in front of the camera.

Simone has a Certificate in Trauma Healing, and has her Mindfulness Certification. She is trained and qualified to work with survivors of trauma, and serves at Heal For Life in The Hunter Valley NSW, on programs designed to bring healing and wholeness. Simone is also interested in natural health, spiritual growth, and holistic wellbeing.

Simone is and has been active in the areas of justice, equality, and humanitarian needs, offering care and assistance to domestic violence victim/survivors, and campaigning for legislative change regarding child abuse and domestic violence.

Despite her own intense challenges overcoming abuse, trauma, and severe injustice, Simone Waddell continues to radiate kindness, love and peace, sharing her voice, forever grateful to live the dynamic and creative life that music allows.