When war and trauma leave communities in pieces, sometimes it’s not words that begin the healing—but music. This May, acclaimed concert pianist Peter Simon is packing up his talents, his heart, and two grand pianos to embark on a powerful tour across Israel—offering music not for fame, but for healing.

Simon, who has graced the world’s most prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to Tokyo, is taking an extraordinary step in his career. Rather than touring for ticket sales or international accolades, he will be performing a series of free concerts for communities impacted by recent conflict. “I have a lot of empathy for the Israeli people and what they are going through,” Simon says. “Therefore, I have decided to travel to Israel and give free concerts, so they will be able to hear and enjoy beautiful music.”

The tour will include performances in several locations, including a featured appearance at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem. But it’s not the spotlight that interests Simon—it’s the people. He’s intentionally chosen to reach out to smaller towns and communities still in recovery.

One such place is Nahal Oz, a kibbutz near the Gaza border that suffered greatly during the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Simon will perform a private concert for displaced residents now housed in temporary hotel accommodations. More than a performance, the event will serve as a moment of unity, solace, and shared emotion.​ Other performance locations will include Arad and Ariel.​ He will also present masterclasses at Gonenim Music Conservatory in Jerusalem​ and the Tiberius Music Conservatory​.

Simon will also be donating two grand pianos—one to Nahal Oz, and the other to Katzrin, a town in the Golan Heights. In both places, the instruments represent more than music; they symbolize a promise that beauty and culture will return. The Nahal Oz piano will eventually be installed in one of the community’s new buildings—a permanent note of resilience, echoing far beyond a single performance.

What sets Simon apart isn’t just his musicality—it’s his humanity. His performances weave together technical brilliance, humor, and narrative, inviting listeners into the story behind every note. He connects with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, making classical music feel like a conversation rather than a lecture.

Raised in Denver, Colorado, Simon holds degrees in both Music and Philosophy, and his performances reflect that dual depth of soul and intellect. He’s not only a gifted artist but a dedicated educator. Over the years, he’s brought music to countless schoolchildren in the U.S., visiting classrooms and auditoriums to share live piano and introduce young ears to the world of classical composition—with plenty of jokes in between.

Simon’s philosophy is simple: music belongs to everyone. Especially in moments of grief or uncertainty, music can reach where words fail. “Music has the power to comfort, inspire, and remind people of their humanity,” he says.

His upcoming tour in Israel is a testament to that belief. In each town, each performance, each carefully chosen phrase of a Chopin nocturne or a Liszt rhapsody, Simon is extending a hand. It’s not just music—it’s mercy, memory, and an invitation to begin again.