Carlos Simon — Composer-in-Residence for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the inaugural Boston Symphony Orchestra Composer Chair, and a member of The Blacknificent 7 — has already had his music performed by the world’s leading ensembles including the National Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra for the Last Night of the Proms, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Simon grew up in Atlanta, where his father was a pastor. “My dad, he always gets on me. He wants me to be a preacher, but I always tell him, ‘Music is my pulpit. That’s where I preach,’” he shares. His own direct musical influences are vibrant and varied, his inspirations include the hymns and gospel music of his father’s church, as well pop, classical, and film music. For the holidays, Simon has released a three song EP of Christmas songs arranged and performed by himself on the piano.