Nick Watts

Choir Accompanist

Nicholas Watts was born and raised in Yorkshire, England. He enjoyed an active musical life as a young student, singing in the local church choir, playing in early music ensembles and youth orchestras, and studying piano, flute and organ. He went to York Minster for organ lessons at age fifteen, learning from John Scott Whitely, assistant organist at the Minster.

Following High School, Nicholas was awarded an organ scholarship to the Abbey School in Tewkesbury, England, where he accompanied the choir each weekday for evensong in the abbey. Advanced studies continued at Cambridge University. He was the organ scholar at Queen's College, and had the privilege of directing both the chapel choir and the St. Margaret Society Chorus. After earning his Bachelor's Degree in music, Nicholas went to the Guildhall School of Music in London, where he continued to study piano performance and earned a diploma in Music Therapy.

Nicholas came to the United States in 1983 as a music therapy intern at Norristown State Hospital. Not content to return to England after just nine months, he began working as a rehabilitation counselor with the young adult chronic mentally ill. He continued his training by earning a Masters Degree in Family Therapy at Hahnemann University, and by completing the musicianship program of Music for People.

Nicholas has been self- employed since 1993, allowing him the opportunity to develop his career as both a musician and as a family therapist. He has spent the last thirteen years working with emotionally disturbed adolescents in the foster care and juvenile justice systems at Ranch Hope, and the last ten years as Minister of Music at Christ Episcopal Church in West Collingswood.

He has free-lanced as a pianist and accompanist, accompanying the Greater South Jersey Chorus for seven seasons, playing for weddings and parties, and accompanying local singers and instrumentalists. He continues to enjoy associations with some of the South Jersey's most talented teachers and students, and is particularly delighted to have the opportunity to accompany ChildrenSong.

Nicholas lives in Oaklyn with his wife and two sons.