Music Educator

Background
I am an orchestra teacher and private bass instructor in the St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. Currently, I am the Orchestra Director at Coon Rapids High School. I also maintain a studio of 6 to 10 private students that I teach at my home. Many students have performed with the Minnesota Youth Symphonies, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. and the Minnesota All-State Orchestra and the MnSOTA Middle Level Honors Orchestra. I have worked with several students who have gone on to becoming teachers and performers.

I am also the adjunct bass instructor at Hamline University and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. I also held prior positions at St. Cloud State University as well Abingdon School and St. Edward's School in Oxford, England. I also have experience teaching younger, beginning students from 4 year old Suzuki students up to adults, including several adults who have switched from electric to upright bass.

I have a Master's Degree in Music Education from Northwestern University and I received my bachelor's degree in performance from the Eastman School of Music and my bachelor's degree in music education from St. Cloud State University. I also have a Certificate of Advanced Orchestral Studies from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Click here for a complete Educator Resumé (8 kB in Adobe Acrobat document format).

Private Lessons
Click here for more information about my private lesson program.

Resources for my students
For my private studio and public school students I have set up a Tuning Guide to help them tune their instrument and various documents, such as scale fingering sheets and flash cards. These are posted on the following pages:

Tuning Guide

Web Links

Educational Documents

If you would like to contact me through e-mail michael@mwatsonmusic.com