Watkins Celebrates 25 Years at Kennesaw State

The College of the Arts will celebrate Professor of Piano David Watkins' 25th anniversary with a free recital and post-concert reception at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 in Howard Logan Stillwell Theater. Watkins, who is listed on Steinway & Sons' International Roster of Performers, began teaching part-time at Kennesaw State in 1981. He became a full-time member of the faculty in 1986, shortly after making his debut at Carnegie Hall.

In addition to his busy teaching load at the university, Watkins is an active recitalist, chamber musician and accompanist. He performs regularly throughout the country, and has accompanied many acclaimed performers including Irene Jordan, Linda Zoghby and Patricia Craig in recital. Watkins has appeared as a soloist with Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Cobb Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Wind Symphony and Dekalb Symphony Orchestra, and he performs regularly with the Atlanta Virtuosi Chamber Ensemble. He also has released two solo CDs.

At Kennesaw State, he serves as the director of keyboard studies. Many of his students have become successful concert pianists and studio teachers. One of his most noted former students is Robert Henry, who has won several international piano competitions and who, last season, performed on the subscription series with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

For his anniversary recital on Sept. 16, Watkins will perform Liszt's transcription of Bach's "Fantasy and Fugue in G minor for Organ, BWV 542," Spanish pieces by Claude Debussy and Moritz Moszkowski and Poulenc and, in tribute to Mozart's 250th anniversary, Mozart's "Sonata in F major, K. 332." The recital is free and open to the public.

In honor of Watkins' anniversary, supporters are invited to contribute to the J. David Watkins Endowed Piano Scholarship.

In this academic year, the College of the Artw also will honor the anniversaries of Associate Professor of Theatre & Performance Studies Ming Chen (15 years), Professor of Theatre & Performance Studies John Gentile (20 years) and Arts Dean Joseph Meeks (30 years) as well as the upcoming retirement of Associate Professor of Art Roberta Griffin. For more information about these anniversaries, visit www.kennesaw.edu/arts/Anniversaries.

Back to Headlines