Watkins studied with Rodney
Eichenberger and Andre Thomas at Florida State University, where
he earned a Ph.D. in music education
and conducting. His formal education has included
theological seminary, and he has ministered to
the congregations of several Christian denominations for over
twenty years.
He has served as a clinician,
adjudicator and guest conductor
in the South and Midwest, in Puerto Rico and
in the Orient. Watkins has also sung
with the Oak Park Handel's Week ensemble,
the Fort Worth Renaissance Consort, Schola Cantorum
of Texas and the Ft. Worth and Dallas
Opera choruses.
His other accolades include: serving
as chorus master for Giovanni Bertolani's opera Matilde,
performing in master class with Paul Plishka, and performing
under the baton of Fiora Contino and the late Robert Shaw,
with whom he also served as diction coach for his last
performance of Brahm's Ein deutsches Requiem
.
He
has guest lectured in music literacy, vocal diction and
music education and his professional memberships include
the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America,
International Federation of Choral Music, Music Educators
National Conference and the National Association of Teachers
of Singing.
