Our Musicians

T. Wyatt Watkins is a charter member of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. He holds a Bachelor of Violin Performance degree from Indiana University, where he studied with Tadeusz Wronski. His additional pedagogues include Abram Skernick, James Buswell, and Vartan Manoogian. He holds the Master of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis. He was formerly a member of the Bavarian State Opera orchestra in Munich, Germany. He has performed widely on concert series, most recently at the Amphitheatre of the Chautauqua Institute, New York, the Ilse Newell Recital Series, Apalachicola, Florida, the Wilderness Coast Concert Series, and Duneland Performing Arts.

An author, Watkins’ titles include Gospel, Grits, and Grace: Encountering the Holy in the Ridiculous, Sublime, and Unexpected (Judson Press, 1999), How Sweet the Sound: Stories Inspired by the Hymns We Love (2001), Judson Press, The Promise Restored, Rediscovering the Ten Commandments in an Uncertain World (2002), New World Library, and What Our Kids Teach Us About Prayer, The Crossroad Publishing Company (2005). He has also authored, Praying the Parables (2000), from Talkpoints Publications, and has a chapter in a recent book entitled Nurturing Children’s Spirituality: Christian Perspectives and Best Practices, Wipf and Stock Publishing (2007).

A 2002-2003 recipient of a Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship, Watkins created a performance genre of music and story called “Unfettered Wonder.” Over 2005-6, he performed recitals with local soprano Danielle Hurt Hartman including many of the major works for violin and soprano, as well as lesser known works for that genre. Watkins has recently co-founded White River Celtica, a neo-Celtic band, with veteran Irish artist T.H. Gillespie. Watkins performs on a modern violin patterned after a Guarneri del Gesù from renowned maker Tetsuo Matsuda.

Also the co-pastor of a local church, Watkins champions the cause of fine sacred music in a progressive setting of worship, from a broad musical palette. He is married with four school-age children and resides in Indianapolis.