A native of Champaign, IL, Andrew Watkins began his percussion studies at the age of twelve. He completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with William Moersch and Ricardo Flores and went on to receive his Master of Music degree at the Chicago College of Performing Arts under the tutelage of Ed Harrison and Vadim Karpinos. He furthered his post-graduate education at the New England Conservatory with Will Hudgins and later at Lynn University with Ted Atkatz.
During his studies, Mr. Watkins was a participant at the Tanglewood Music Center in 2007 and the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra in 2009. Previous to San Diego, professional appearances include the Chicago Symphony, Chicago Lyric Opera, Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra and New World Symphony. Mr. Watkins joined the San Diego Symphony in February of 2010 and has since performed with the orchestra, and other local ensembles such as Art of Élan and Luscious Noise.