Kamilah C. Simba-Torres

Kamilah Simba-Torres grew up as a “Suzuki kid” and currently runs the Simba School of Music in Fresno, Ca. She graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Music Education from the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific. She took her first training class from Cathryn Lee in 1994 and her second in 95-96 with Judy Bossuat-Gaelic. She taught for ten years in the public school systems including Stockton, Golden Plains and Sanger Unified in Central Valley. Teaching assignments included orchestra, band, choir, general music, guitar, and piano to grade levels K-12. Many of her student performing groups traveled as far as New York City and went to competitions where they received top ratings.
In addition to teaching in the public schools, K.C. Simba-Torres has been a counselor and instructor for 20+ years at summer music camps in the states of Washington and California. She has also been a clinician and adjudicator for various Valley music festivals.
She currently runs two music businesses in Fresno. The Simba School of Music L.L.C. where she has a studio of about 45 students on violin, viola, and ‘cello. Her students perform numerous times throughout the year in the community and in L.A. and S.F. Her second business is called Arpeggio Strings which is a booking agency for live musicians in the Fresno and Central Valley area.
Mrs. Simba-Torres plays professionally with numerous groups and has played for the Sequoia Symphony for over 30 years, the last 27 as principal second violin. Simba-Torres performs as a freelance musician for various churches and light opera organizations throughout the San Joaquin Valley. She has also played for the Bakersfield, Stockton, Merced, and Fresno Philharmonic Orchestras.
K.C. met her husband in their high school band class and they have two children. Hasina (20) plays the ‘cello, piano and saxophone and is currently attending the University of the Pacific at the Conservatory of Music studying Music Therapy, Music Performance, and Psychology. Her brother Xavion (16) plays the violin/viola, piano, and bass guitar and attends University High School. Both have been/are raised with the Suzuki Method. They reside in Fresno and spend the summers going to institutes.