She’s a local girl who made good — really good. Simone Young was born, educated and trained in Sydney. She joined the music staff of Opera Australia in 1983; three years later she went to Europe on a scholarship which resulted in wonderful experience and opportunities as a conductor. Guest engagements conducting acclaimed performances for Opera Australia in the 1990s led to her appointment as Chief Conductor of the company in 2001, an appointment which ended in 2003.