Simona Jakubėnaitė

Simona Jakubėnaitė (born 20 November 1984) is a Lithuanian singer and vocal coach. She grew up in Lithuania and started singing from a young age. As a teenager, she took part in around 15 international music festivals, gaining valuable stage experience. In 2002, she entered Fizz Superstar, a Baltic talent show similar to American Idol. She did not win the contest, but it became a turning point in her life. During the show, Simona met singer Linas Adomaitis, which led to a new musical partnership. Initially, she performed as a backing singer for Linas, but soon they formed the duo Linas and Simona and began their journey in Lithuanian pop music. 

Eurovision 2004 and Linas and Simona

In 2004, Simona Jakubėnaitė’s career reached a wider audience when Linas and Simona won Lithuania’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. The duo went on to represent Lithuania at Eurovision 2004 in Istanbul. On the big stage, they performed a pop duet called “What’s Happened to Your Love?”. Linas and Simona scored 26 points and finished 16th in the semi-final, narrowly missing a spot in the grand final. Despite not advancing, the appearance made them household names in Lithuania. Their Eurovision song was later included on the duo’s album and became part of Lithuanian pop music history.

Success with Linas and Simona Duo

After Eurovision, Linas and Simona continued to build their musical career together. In 2005, the duo released an album titled “I Love U,” which featured their Eurovision track. That same year, they also engaged in social causes – for example, they served as ambassadors for an anti-AIDS campaign in Lithuania. The pair were not only musical partners but also a couple in real life. They became one of the popular acts in Lithuanian pop music during the mid-2000s, known for their romantic ballads and pop songs. However, after a few years of success, their partnership came to an end. By late 2007, Linas and Simona had decided to part ways, both personally and professionally. Their separation marked the end of the duo. The following year, in early 2008, they released a final live album – a closing chapter for Linas and Simona. 

Education Abroad and Musical Growth

After the duo split, Simona Jakubėnaitė shifted her focus towards personal growth and education. She received a prestigious scholarship to study music abroad. Simona moved to the United States to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She became the first Lithuanian vocalist to be invited to study at Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, Simona immersed herself in jazz theory and performance. She excelled in her studies, earning several college awards and scholarships for her original compositions and vocal talent. While living in Boston (and later in New York City), she actively performed and collaborated with renowned jazz and fusion artists – including bass guitar virtuoso Victor Wooten, saxophonist Greg Osby, pianist Jetro da Silva, and even the famous jazz-fusion group Yellowjackets. Simona graduated from Berklee with a summa cum laude diploma in Professional Music (specializing in jazz theory).

Vocal Coaching and Life in Lithuania

Upon completing her studies, Simona Jakubėnaitė returned to Lithuania to begin a new chapter. Coming back home was not without challenges – she had to readjust from the fast-paced American music scene to a quieter life in Lithuania. However, Simona soon found a meaningful way to apply her knowledge. She established a vocal training school called “New Vocal” studio in Lithuania. As a vocal coach, she started mentoring young singers and sharing the modern techniques she learned at Berklee. Simona quickly became known as one of the leading vocal coaches in the country, respected for her expertise and warm teaching style. By using Berklee’s methodology in her lessons, she helped aspiring artists develop professional singing skills. 

During these years, Simona largely stepped away from performing on big stages and focused on teaching and personal life. She lived a more private life, spending time in her hometown Panevėžys and honing her skills as a teacher and composer. Though she was out of the pop spotlight, she remained connected to music through her students and occasional creative projects. This period allowed her to grow personally and professionally outside of fame.

2025 Comeback – Solo Career and Her Light Album

After a long break from the public stage, Simona Jakubėnaitė made a much-anticipated comeback to her singing career in 2025. Now performing under the simple stage name “SIMONA,” she reintroduced herself to the Lithuanian music scene as a solo artist. In early 2025, Simona released her debut solo album titled “Her Light.” The album consists of eight songs that Simona wrote or co-wrote, each reflecting parts of her life journey – from childhood memories to life lessons about love and personal growth. Her Light was crafted with a team of talented collaborators, and it captures the emotional story of her path to finding her true self. To celebrate the release, Simona held a special live album launch concert on March 28, 2025, at St. Catherine’s Church in Vilnius. She performed alongside the Šv. Kristoforo (St. Christopher) Chamber Orchestra, adding a rich live instrumentation to her new music.