She graduated from New York University where she studied with Marion Bauer and Percy Grainger from 1931 to 1937, and taught at the Third Street Music School from 1928 to 1933.
In 1933 she began studies with Alexander Siloti at the Juilliard School of Music, and in 1938 with composer Stefan Wolpe.
[1] From 1961 to 1962 she was producer and coordinator of concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
She received a Recording Publication Award from the Ford Foundation in 1971.
[2][3] Simons' works have been recorded and issued on vinyl, including: