He works locally with The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Carolina Opera, & Bechtler Ensemble & has toured with national touring companies. He was a commercial music composer in Los Angeles for 15 years working with acting improv troupes, scoring for film/tv, & orchestrating for the Pageant of the Masters’ Orchestra, Vitamin Rock String Quartet, Jive Records, Hylo Productions, Myrecordlabel.net & Trans-Sylvanian Orchestra. Mr. Watkins has been on faculty at California State University, Los Angeles, California Baptist University, & Central Piedmont Community College. He achieved a B.M. in Piano Performance (Commercial Music) from California State University, Long Beach, & a M.M. in Composition from California State University, Los Angeles and was a graduate of the Henry Mancini Institute in Composition.