An active Timpanist and Percussionist, Simón Gómez Gallego is the Principal Timpanist of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.  He also holds the positions of Principal Timpanist of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, West Michigan Symphony and Rockford Symphony Orchestra. 

A sought after performer around the greater Chicago area, Mr. Gómez Gallego has performed as Guest Principal Timpanist and Substitute Percussionist with orchestras like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Grant Park Orchestra. Other groups he performs with frequently include The Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Madison Symphony, among others. He was Assistant Principal Percussionist of the Florida Grand Opera during their 2010-2011 season and also performed with the Miami Symphony Orchestra, Boca Raton Sinfonia, and Palm Beach Symphony.

Mr. Gómez Gallego has served as acting Principal Timpani of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for their 2018 summer season and had his concerto debut with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, performing James MacMillan’s Percussion Concerto Veni Veni Emmanuel.

Born in Medellin, Colombia, Mr. Gómez Gallego started his musical studies at the Instituto Musical Diego Echavarria. He received both his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from the University of Miami and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Percussion Performance from DePaul University. He was the timpanist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Civic Fellow from 2014 to 2016.  He also attended the Aspen Music Festival and School for 5 summers and was recipient of the Charlie Owen Fellowship in 2011 and the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen Timpani Fellowship in 2012.

Also a passionate educator, Mr. Gómez Gallego is currently in the Faculty of the Percussion Scholarship Program of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New England Music Camp and the People’s Music school.

Mr. Gómez Gallego’s main teachers have included David Herbert, Matthew Strauss, Marc Damoulakis, Eric Millstein, Vadim Karpinos, Svet Stoyanov, Ney Rosauro and Ted Atkatz. Mr. Gómez Gallego is endorsed by Sabian Cymbals, Ludwig – Musser Instruments and is a JG Percussion Young Artist