Simon Harding is a professional Saxophone, Flute, and Bass Clarinet player who has performed extensively all over North America. He's shared the stage with Darius Rucker, Ben Folds, the O.J.’s, Wycliffe Gordon, Richie Cole, James Carter, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Cab Calloway Orchestra, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony and many more. He is currently a member of the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra, the leader of the Iowa Bop Collective, and performs with many other Midwest based ensembles.

As well as performing, Simon is an avid educator that has conducted masterclasses and clinics at high schools and universities all over the country. He was director of the Jazz Ensemble at Wartburg University for 4 years, but has since stepped down to focus on J&H Winds, a Woodwind repair and resource center aimed at making sure students and professionals have instruments in top playing condition.

The Iowa Bop! Collective, founded in 2022 by woodwind artist Simon Harding, is a modular ensemble dedicated to commissioning and performing original works and arrangements inspired by the jazz traditions of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. With a flexible lineup that has ranged from intimate trios to septets and even collaborations with orchestras, the group highlights musicians from across the Cedar Valley, the state of Iowa, and beyond. This adaptability not only ensures each performance feels fresh and unique, but also opens the door for creative writing opportunities and diverse instrumentation. At its core, the Collective is committed to showcasing artistic excellence, elevating local and state talent, and fostering mentorship through educational outreach that inspires the next generation of Iowa jazz musicians.