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1. What's been the most defining moment in your career so far? My international career has taught me a great deal about myself, and each experi- ence has shaped me along the way. Studying and performing abroad opened my eyes to different musical worlds and ultimately shaped both my technique and my identity as a musician. One of the key milestones was graduating from the Conserv- atoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. I am the only Maltese musician to have done so, and for me, it represents years of discipline, dedication and sacrifice. But I don't think defining moments are always the most visible achievements. Some of them happen quietly, in a rehearsal, dur- ing practice, or on stage, when everything suddenly connects and you feel that you are exactly where you are meant to be. Just as important have been the people I've met and the cultures I've encountered. Ultimately, music is about human exchange, communicating and connecting beyond words. Alongside my career as a musician, I have also had the privilege of serving my local community through public life. I was elected deputy mayor of my municipality, with re- sponsibility for culture, heritage and tourism, and I have also had the opportunity to serve as a parliamentary attaché at the French National Assembly. These experiences have given me a broader perspective on culture and its role in society, not only as something to preserve, but as a powerful way of bringing communities together, strengthening identity and keeping our heritage alive. Looking back, I would say that the most de- fining part of my career has been the journey itself, the discipline, the encounters, the challenges and the moments of connection that have shaped not only the musician I have become, but also the person. 2. As a creative, how do you navigate the world and speed of social media? Social media is now part of being a musician. It's a powerful tool for sharing work and connecting globally, but it moves very fast and creates constant pressure. I try not to let that affect my process. Music needs time, honesty, and space, which doesn't always align with the pace of online platforms. What people see online is only a small part of a much deeper creative journey. 3. Do you consider artificial intelligence a threat to your career, or an opportunity? I see it as both an opportunity and a chal- lenge. Like any major technological shift, it will influence how we think about music. It can be useful for exploring ideas and expanding creativity, but it cannot replace the human core of music, lived experience, emotion, and physical interaction with an instrument. That is something no algorithm can replicate. So, I don't see it as a threat, but as something to understand and use responsibly. 4. How do you stay motivated and inspired during tough times? Motivation is never constant. There are easier periods and more difficult ones, that's part of the process. What helps is remembering why I started— expression, curiosity, and connection, not career goals. I've also learned that inspira- tion often comes after you begin working, not before. Outside music, life itself is a constant source of inspiration, people, travel, silence, and even challenges. 5. How do you balance your creative instincts with expectations? It's a constant balance between artistic instinct and external expectations. For me, honesty is essential, without it, the music loses meaning. At the same time, collaboration is vital. Working with other musicians often leads you in unexpected and rewarding directions. I've been fortunate to work with many great artists. It's not a conflict, but a dialogue. When that balance works, it creates something richer than what you could achieve alone. 6. How do you approach a new project? Every project starts differently, sometimes with a melody, a sound, or simply a feeling. I try to keep the early stage open and let ideas develop naturally. Once the direction becomes clearer, I move into shaping and refining the material. The guitar is always central, but I stay open to different influences and possibilities throughout the process. 7. Can you let us in on some future projects? There are always projects in development, but I prefer to share them when they are ready. One ongoing focus is my role as artistic director of the Valletta Guitar Festival, organ- ised by Festivals Malta. The aim is to establish a strong international platform for the guitar in Malta, bringing together established art- ists, young talent, and local musicians across classical, contemporary, and experimental music. There is also a strong educational and cultur- al exchange element, and I hope it continues to grow as a reference point for guitar music in the region. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 AUGUST 2026 Television Malta's TV industry looks to build on growing appetite for local content ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON BY LAURA CALLEJA suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt The Q & A SIMON SCHEMBRI 7 questions for... Extra round What does music mean to you personally? Music is not separate from my life; it is how I experience the world. It is a language that expresses what words cannot. Sometimes it is expressive, sometimes reflective, and some- times simply a way of understand- ing myself and my surroundings. It is always present, even in silence. Ultimately, it is not just what I do, it is part of who I am. Simon Schembri is the artistic director of the Valletta Guitar Festival, an accomplished concert soloist, and a community councillor serving as deputy mayor for culture, heritage and territorial development in Carnelle Pays de France Culture Matylda Jarosz exhibition to open at the Malta Society of Arts PAGES 2-3 PAGE 8 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta "I see AI as both an opportunity and a challenge. Like any major technological shift, it will influence how we think about music"