Currently the Principal Clarinet of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon has won the First Prize in the International Clarinet Society Competition and the National Arts Club Competition in New York. He made his debut in the Carnegie Hall Recital Hall in 1988 after winning the Artists International Young Musicians Auditions Clarinet Award. "New York Times" hailed his brilliant playing "fleetness and an ear for coloristic detail", and compared him to Benny Goodman.

A graduate of the Juilliard School, Simon has appeared as soloist and taught masterclasses in the United States, China, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Australia, etc. In 1992, he became the first American-born artist ever to perform in the North Korea. He has been the Guest Principal with Mainly Mozart, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He is the National Chairperson of the International Clarinet Association and a regular contributor to international music journals. He also appeared at clarinet conventions on four continents.