About
Simone grew up in Someren in the South of the Netherlands. Coming from a family filled with music, it was not a coincidence that Simone dedicated her life to music.
It all started with the accordion, but that was only the beginning. Simone decided in 2007 to become a professional musician and study accordion at the conservatory. But it didn’t take her long to realize that tango was her passion. She traded her accordion for a bandoneon and went to the Conservatory of Rotterdam to start her adventure in the unknown world of tango.
In May 2014 she was awarded as a first price winner of the International Bandoneon Solo Competition in Klingenthal, Germany. The jury, consisting of 5 international judges graded Simone with 23,31 out of 25 points which made her world champion ’14 in her category.
In June 2014 she successfully graduated at the Conservatory of Rotterdam at the Argentine tango department with a nine.
After several musical trips to Argentina, Simone decided to live there for some months after her studies. She followed lessons by the real maestros del tango, like Nestor Marconi and Roberto Alvarez. She also immediately got asked to play in an Argentina based quintet called Finisterre Tango. When she returned to Rotterdam she came back with a lot of inspiration and experience.
At the moment, Simone is a member of several successful bands like: LocosLindos tango quintet, Roffa Tango Trio, NAOS quartet and more.
Last June Simone graduated her master of music degree at the Codarts conservatory with a nine. During her study she combined tango with jazz and formed her own new fusion project. Together with three jazz musicians the NAOS quartet was formed. A brand new project with a very unique and exciting repertoire. Piazzolla’s music gets even more modernized and also makes room for improvisation, something you don’t see very often on bandoneon..
Since september 2019 Simone is engaged to the Batavierhuis. A new artistic makers place for talent development in Rotterdam.
The journey continues and according to Simone the musical possibilities are endless.
What I do
Performing
My great passion is giving concerts, I love to perform all around the world. Music brings you everywhere. For all my different projects check the projects header.
You can book me in different settings
- a solist with orchestra
- bandoneon solo
- one of my projects
Teaching
I teach bandoneon and accordeon lessons. Also I give tango workshops for your institution. I can help you finding a good affordable instrument as well.
I teach bandoneon and accordeon to:
- children / adults / groups
- ensemble coaching
- Argentinean tango workshops
Transcribing
If you can’t find the sheet music of a specific (tango) song you want to play, I can transcribe it for you. I will make a clear music sheet for you so that you can play your favorite song.
I transcribe for different settings:
- solo
- trio / quartet / quintet / sextet etc.
- orquesta típica
arranging/composing
I started composing for my quintet and I make arrangements for different settings. If you need a tango arrangement for a specific setting I can do it for you.
I arrange and compose:
- tango arrangements
- tango compositions
- possibility for different settings
Media
Videos
Michelangelo '19 - Astor Piazzolla - by NAOS Quartet
Decarísimo - Astor Piazzolla - by NAOS quartet
Tanguedia - arr. S. vd Weerden
The Peacocks - Jimmy Rowles
Agenda
| Date | City | Venue | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/01/20 | LocosLindos | Utrecht | Milonga | Netherlands |
| Time: 15:00. | ||||
| 15/02/20 | LocosLindos | Zwolle | Schouwburg Odeon | Netherlands |
| Time: 20:00. | ||||
| 08/03/20 | Roffa Tango Trio | Kortrijk | Festival Kortrijk – Fireplace | Belgium |
| Time: 15:00. | ||||
| 10/05/20 | Gustavo Beytelmann & Simone van der Weerden | Heerlen | Tango Brutal ’19 | Netherlands |
| Time: 14:00. Address: Parkstad Limburgtheater. | ||||
| 16/05/20 | NAOS quartet | Amersfoort | Amersfoort jazz | Netherlands |
| Time: 15:00. | ||||