Simeon Den
In his storied life, Simeon Den is well aware that in every incarnation of his professional life he was prepared by the events that preceded it.
At 17 Simeon left Hawaii to attend college in Massachusetts to study fine art, which led to a full scholarship at the Alvin Ailey School in New York under Alvin Ailey, himself. He began his professional concert dance career at 25 with Joyce Trisler’s Danscompany and continued his career as a performing artist in an impressive, four Broadway shows. The original production of Stephen Sondheim’s, “Pacific Overtures,” and “The King and I,” starring Yul Bryner were some highlights in Simeon’s Broadway career. His incredible journey of working alongside legendary figures continued, as he spent a year on tour with the icon, Lena Horne.
Simeon’s life shifted drastically after returning to Hawaii in 1983, diagnosed with HIV and a presumed death sentence. It was at that turning point where he truly began to fulfill his purpose as an artist and educator. For 17 years Simeon owned and directed Danceworks Honolulu, a combined school, dance company, and production company. In that time, he taught dance, choreographed, and performed with the intention to instill community building through arts and education, emphasizing self-discipline, responsibility, commitment, and to live fearlessly. As an amazing human being who continues to defy the odds in every possible way, Simeon has been an inspiration to countless performing artists around the world.
When the AIDS retrovirals became available in 1995, and Den realized that he had a future, he moved to Los Angeles and reinvented himself as fine art and commercial photographer. It was during this period of transition when he graduated, summa cum laude from UCLA’s Theater and Dance program. He joined the faculties of (AMDA) American Musical and Drama Academy, Los Angeles High School of Performing Arts, and CalArts.
In 2000 he met his future husband, Peter Palladino, a noted fine art photographer, and as Simeon continued his evolution as an artist/educator/icon, his book, “8 Meditations on Urban Life” was published in 2005. In 2010 Simeon and his husband moved to Cathedral City, CA, buying the historic Agnes Pelton house, and founded the Agnes Pelton Society, an arts non-profit whose mission is to sustain the legacy of the posthumously celebrated Modernist painter.
He continues his amazing journey, having opened the Simeon Den Gallery/ Fine and Temple Arts and teaches yoga. He has devised and codified Ch’i Yoga™ and conducts meditation sessions at the Pelton House.
We are honored to have Simeon as a mentor for Creative Generations as his legacy continues through his own artist’s journey and through the many artists and teachers he has mentored. He is our “mentor’s mentor.”
