Simonne Draper is a Czech acoustic-classical composer and guitarist, a member of the Czech Composers Society, and a voting member of The Recording Academy™ for the Grammy Awards®. She is known for her classical and orchestral compositions, as well as collaborations that blend classical music with modern downtempo and chillout styles.

Early Life and Education

Draper studied and graduated in law, but music has been with her since childhood, as she has been composing from an early age. She is classically trained in Spanish guitar and later studied under the renowned classical guitar composer Milan Tesař at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory in Prague. In 2016, she became a member of the Czech Composers Society. During her studies at the conservatoire, Draper frequently performed in collaboration with other guitarists in Prague churches and local concert halls.

Career

Albums and Releases

In 2019, Draper released her debut album, Portraits in Guitar, under the MSR Classics label in the USA. The album received positive reviews from publications such as Fanfare, American Record Guide, and Concertonet. It was also played on numerous radio stations worldwide, including BBC Radio Kent, Radio Six International, and Classic Praha FM, where it reached No. 1 on various charts, including those of Radio Six International, WFMU, Color Red Radio and others. Her compositions from the album were featured on established radio shows, including the Mike Rogers Show and Lively Lounge with Tony Currie.

In 2024, Draper released her second album, Silence of Eclipse, under Bongo Boy Records. The album further established her reputation as a composer blending classical guitar with evocative musical storytelling.

Collaborations and Style

Draper collaborates with award-winning musicians who present her compositions at concert venues and festivals. She also explores different genres and collaborated with British musician Jon Kennedy, who remixed her composition Eclipse into a chillout and downtempo style. The remix was submitted for the 66th Grammy Awards® in the category Best Remixed Recording. Another track, Fairytale, was submitted for the 67th Grammy Awards®.

She continues working with Bongo Boy Records, contributing to compilation albums such as Escape the Mind and Volume XXIII (both released in May 2024). She also participated in Let's Have a Rockin' Christmas, Vol. 9 (November 2024) and The 67th FYC (2025).

Published Works

The sheet music for Draper's four guitar compositions, Pieces for Guitar, was published under her maiden name Kosarova by Editio Bärenreiter.

Awards and Recognition

Draper won the Best Classical Musicians Award in 2025 (Session 1) in the category Best Original Composition for her piece Espanola, which was presented by the duo Beautiful Strings.

Discography

Albums

• Portraits in Guitar (MSR Classics, 2019)
• Silence of Eclipse (Bongo Boy Records, 2024)

Compilation Albums

• The 66th FYC (Bongo Boy Records, 2024)
• Escape the Mind (Bongo Boy Records, 2024)
• Volume XXIII (Bongo Boy Records, 2024)
• Let's Have a Rockin' Christmas (Bongo Boy Records, 2024)
• The 67th FYC (Bongo Boy Records, 2025)

External Links

https://www.simonne.info

https://bongoboyrecords.com/simonnedraper

https://www.msrcd.com/catalog/cd/MS1719

https://www.facebook.com/simonne.draper.music