Cameron Watson
Piano
Pianist, composer, conductor, writer, filmmaker, legal scholar, and educator, Cameron Watson’s experience and range is unparalleled. Beginning at the University of Calgary, UWO, UBC, The Banff Centre and Switzerland, Watson’s teachers include: Boris Roubakine, Luigi Zanninelli, Gerhardt Wuensch, Leonard Isaacs, William Aide, Jane Coop, and the eminent Gyorgy Sebok. From 1977 to 1995, as a full faculty member of Medicine Hat College, Watson was a primary contributor to the musical life of that community: performing (solo and chamber), teaching, creating curriculum, master classes, and all varieties of conservatory programs; producing summer festivals, concert series, theatre productions, recordings, television programs—as well as being President of the Medicine Hat College Faculty Association and Director of Choirs at Fifth Avenue United Church. Further, Watson studied filmmaking, screenwriting, and film scoring at Simon Frazer, NYU, UCLA and SAIT, producing and scoring broadcast, award winning films both dramatic and documentary.
Now a Conservatory Instructor at the Winspear Centre and a sessional instructor in the Department of Music at MacEwan University, Watson continues to be a passionate educator. In addition to teaching/performing in Edmonton, he was six years at Music Camrose—three as head clinician—giving workshops in Edmonton and Calgary, as well as adjudicating over thirty festivals throughout Western Canada. As a writer, Watson has contributed feature articles to International Piano magazine. A holder of an LLB from The University of Alberta, in 2000 Watson was named national winner of the Gordon F. Henderson/SOCAN Copyright Award for his essay: “Music Copyright Infringement: A New Understanding”. He has also been featured as a recording artist on television and radio including eight separate programs for CBC Radio as well as two published CDs featuring the works of CPE Bach, Beethoven, Ginastera and Prokofiev as well as his own compositions.
Teaching Quote/Philosophy:
My goal is to turn curiosity and exploration into enjoyment and accomplishment when working with young children, teens, or adults. Whether the subject is theoretical, ensemble, composition, or free improvisation, lessons should be fun, inspiring, and creative.
Lesson Description:
Cameron Watson works with piano students from 6 years of age to 60. He also teaches creative music/composition having an extensive portfolio of composition which includes mainline art music and more popular styles. He also teaches courses in jazz harmony and contemporary practice at MacEwan University, Department of Music.
Education and Certification:
Master of Music in Piano and Composition, University of Western Ontario. Thesis: “Liszt’s Process of Revision”
Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Piano Performance, University of Calgary
One year of residency (DMA): University of British Columbia (in progress)
Bachelor of Laws in Intellectual Property, University of Alberta
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Solo recitalist and chamber player where required in all of the above organizations and venues and in all years. [sample programs and list of repertoire on request].
Recording artist on television and radio including eight separate programs for CBC Radio as well as two published CDs featuring the works of CPE Bach, Beethoven, Ginastera and Prokofiev as well as my own compositions.
Media artist on YouTube featuring 20+ works including Schubert’s “Wanderer Fantasy” and Rachmaninoff’s “Moment Musicale in C major”
Student Testimonial:
Cameron is incredibly knowledgeable, and passionate about his specialty. He has taken the time to build rapport with my son, which makes him a more effective teacher. He uses his expertise to assess my son’s areas of strength and weakness, then crafts a plan to build my son’s skills. We are so fortunate to have found him!
-Parent of student
