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Howard Watkins

Howard Watkins

American pianist Howard Watkins is a frequent associate of some of the world’s leading musicians on the concert stage and as an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. His appearances throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Russia, and Israel have included collaborations with Renée Fleming, Joyce DiDonato, Diana Damrau, Kathleen Battle, Grace

Bumbry, Mariusz Kwiecien, Anna Netrebko, and Matthew Polenzani at such venues as Spivey Hall, Kennedy Center, the United States Supreme Court, Alice Tully Hall, the three stages of Carnegie Hall, and the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. He has accompanied the classes of legendary artists Renata Scotto, Frederica von Stade, Regine Crespin, Birgit Nilsson, Sherrill Milnes, and George Shirley.


Mr. Watkins has served on the faculties of The Juilliard School, Bard College Conservatory of Music, the Merola Opera Program, the Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program, Yale School of Music as a Visiting Presidential Fellow,

Tanglewood Music Center, Aspen Music Festival, International Vocal Arts Institute (Israel, Japan, and China), IIVA in Italy, Brancaleoni Music Festival in Italy, Tokyo International Vocal Arts Academy (TIVAA), and VOICExperience in Orlando, Tampa, and Savannah.


A native of Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Watkins completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Accompanying and Chamber Music at the University of Michigan. In 2004, he was honored as the recipient of both the Paul C. Boylan award from the University of Michigan for his outstanding contributions to the field of music, and a Special Achievement Award from the National Alumni Association of the University of Dayton. He is the 2019 recipient of the

Lift Every Voice Legacy Award from the National Opera Association. He was recently recognized as one the 2022 Top Professionals of the Year by Musical America in part for his work to celebrate the music of Black composers and singers.