Biography
Job title: Sinfonia Musical Director
Courses taught: Sinfonia
Andrew Watkinson is the conductor of the Leeds Conservatoire Sinfonia. Following four years of violin study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he left England to take up a position in the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. Highlights included working with Anne-Sophie Mutter, John Ogden, Jaime Loredo and Victoria Mullova along with international conductors. Other work included the National Opera and Theatre companies, also based in Reykjavik. After returning to England in 1988 he has pursued a freelance and teaching based career. Work has included playing in the UK tour of Lloyd Weber’s “Joseph”, ten seasons with the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, and work with freelance groups such as the National Festival and the British Philharmonic Orchestras. More recently he has toured for two years with Opus 1 Opera and last year saw a short tour with the singer Joe Longthorne culminating in a performance at the London Palladium in May 2015.
Andrew Watkinson’s career makes him perfectly placed to tutor the group. This, combined with a love of directing and tutoring adult learners ensures excellence of direction and education.
