Complex sentence: Born in North Carolina, the sixth child of a preacher, Simone aspired to be a concert pianist, but was denied a scholarship to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, despite a well-received audition.
Split into simpler sentences: Born in North Carolina, the sixth child of a preacher, Simone aspired to be a concert pianist,. She was later denied a scholarship to study at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, despite a well-received audition.