A laureate of several prestigious international competitions, including First Prize at the Maria Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona (2009) and the Piano Olympics in Bad Kissingen (2007), he has performed with the BBC Philharmonic, the Orchestre National de France, the Czech Philharmonic, Kremerata Baltica, and many other leading orchestras worldwide. His repertoire spans music from Baroque to the present day, with a particular emphasis on his own compositions and improvisations.
Alongside his performing career, Šimkus is a prolific composer whose works are published by Schott Music and performed internationally by renowned artists. He is a three-time recipient of the Grand Latvian Music Award, a two-time winner of the Lielais Kristaps Award for film music, and an Officer of the Order of the Three Stars. Recent highlights include performances with leading orchestras in Latvia and abroad, appearances at major European festivals, and concert programmes featuring his own compositions alongside the classical repertoire.
