“Simone Johanna Maria Simons (born 17 January 1985) is a Dutch singer-songwriter. She is best known for being the lead singer of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, where she joined at the age of seventeen, releasing seven studio albums and touring the world. In her singing career, she has also collaborated with bands such as Kamelot, Leaves’ Eyes, Primal Fear, Ayreon, and Angra.

Simons was born in Hoensbroek, Netherlands. She has a younger sister named Janneke who was born on Simone’s second birthday. Her interest in music manifested at a very early age. Simons started playing flute for two years after joining music school at the age of 12. At 14, she had one year of pop singing lessons, and at 15, she switched to classical singing after listening to Nightwish’s Oceanborn, which remains her favorite 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 at the age of 17.”