Bio

Joshua Watkins is a respected percussionist and esteemed music educator with a global reputation. His versatile talents encompass a diverse range of musical genres, including jazz, Latin, rock, country, Caribbean drumming, world music, Steelpan, marching arts, chamber music, and orchestral music. Throughout his career, Watkins has performed on prestigious stages and shared his knowledge with students and fellow musicians alike. 

Watkins refined his skills under the direction of prominent mentors, including Dr. Christopher Norton, Todd London, Dr. Julia Gaines, Zoro, Mark Lowry, Loyd Warden, and Dr. Lisa Rogers. His passion for academic research led him to explore and document traditional Caribbean percussion, with a particular focus on Trinidad traditional drumming. He remains dedicated to applying these rich traditions in modern contexts. 

As a guest artist and clinician, Josh Watkins has conducted engaging seminars for both professional and student percussionists. He has collaborated with esteemed music institutes, leaving a lasting impact on institutions such as Fine Arts Summer Academy, University of Tennessee – Martin, Virginia Tech, and Barbados Community College. Additionally, he had the privilege of representing the U.S. Embassy to the Eastern Caribbean during a goodwill and educational tour with the Ibis Ensemble. More recently, he was invited as a guest artist for the 11th Poland National Workshop in Gdańsk, further cementing his international influence. 

Watkins' passion for performance and education extends to his participation in the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), College Music Society (CMS), American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and as a Vic Firth Educator. Furthermore, he is recognized as the founding president of the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of PAS, demonstrating his commitment to fostering percussion excellence within the region. Actively involved in the PAS International Committee and the PAS Diversity Alliance, Dr. Watkins advocates for diversity and inclusivity in the world of percussion. 

As a recording artist, Watkins has recorded albums such as "Remembering John Denver," "Jab Molassie," and "River of Freedom." His commissions, performances, and premieres of compositions by Caribbean, American, and English composers have earned him a reputation as an enthusiastic supporter of new musical works. 

Josh Watkins' impact on percussion education, his commitment to preserving and revitalizing traditional Caribbean percussion, and his dedication to promoting contemporary percussion compositions make him a distinctive figure in the world of music.