“It’s just getting out there and getting heard – if you don’t do it, then nobody knows you’re there…”

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Neil Simon’s journey took a seemingly dramatic change recently. Just four months ago, his well-paid work as a chartered surveyor “going to boring meetings” completely dried up and faced with a no work situation, he went on to launch himself in business as ‘The Romantic Tenor’, “being able to see someone’s face light up when you sing to them – it’s priceless”.

Of course, Neil didn’t just wake up one day and decide to sing for a living – an accomplished classical guitarist and with a wife who sings soprano, he’s had a love affair with music throughout his life, albeit part-time. And although his work in local government and as a singer don’t at first seem connected in any way, Neil maintains there are many links and shared skills between the two roles;

“Council meetings – it is a bit like being in a theatre – you have to know what to say and when to say it and how to say it.. I’ve been heckled, I’ve had difficult moments with people .. but you just learn to deal with it and it gives you a lot of confidence actually!”

Here, Neil talks to Michelle about his fascinating lifelong journey as a “lucky sort of person”, someone who has embraced challenges and pushed their own limits. He also describes:

• Redundancy and the opportunities it can bring for people
• The power of singing techniques when used in other areas of business
• What it takes to cultivate “a world class voice”
• Education and the benefits of music, choirs and singing
• How diet and exercise can affect your voice
• Attitude, fear and “living that story”

and, of course, Neil also sings for us – catch his “Nessun Dorma” – Calaf’s Aria from Puccini’s Turandot to hear for yourself The Romantic Tenor in action…

Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Tu pure, o, Principessa,
nella tua fredda stanza,
guardi le stelle
che tremano d’amore
e di speranza.
Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me,
il nome mio nessun saprà!
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò
quando la luce splenderà!
Ed il mio bacio scioglierà il silenzio
che ti fa mia!
(Il nome suo nessun saprà!…
e noi dovrem, ahime, morir!)

Neil’s favourite locations are: Oxwich Bay in the Gower Peninsula in Wales and the ancient woodland in Hatfield House Park, Hertfordshire.

If you’d like to hear more of Neil and his work, visit;

The Romantic Tenor (where you can also order his CD)
Executive Voice – Vocal Communications and Training for executives, teachers or anyone who has to stand up and talk in front of groups of people
Viva! Live Music a vast range of talented musicians available for all sorts of events

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