Simone Johanna Maria Simons is a Dutch singer-songwriter. She is the lead vocalist of Dutchsymphonic metal band Epica. Simons was born in Hoensbroek, Netherlands. She has a younger sister by the name of Janneke who was born on Simons second birthday. Her interest in music manifested itself at a very early age. Simons started playing flute for two years after joining music school at the age of 12. At the age of 14, she had one year of pop singing lessons, and at age 15, she switched to classical singing after listening to Nightwish's Oceanborn, which remains her favourite Nightwish album. At one point she was invited to join in a rehearsal for a black metal band; she joined it, although was a little afraid to sing. Simons sang in a choir for a few months, and later joined Epica.