Michael Watts is a music educator and low brass specialist originally from Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Brunswick, Missouri. His passion for music began early through playing trombone and tuba, eventually leading him to pursue a degree in music education at Central Methodist University. While at CMU, he studied tuba under Professor Larry Bennett and Dr. Angelo Manzo and performed in the university’s premier ensembles, including the CMU Concert Band, CMU Marching Eagle Band, CMU Brass Quintet, and CMU Low Brass Ensemble. In 2023, he had the honor of performing at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference with the CMU Concert Band. Mr. Watts began his teaching career working with both middle school and high school bands in Butler, Missouri, during the 2023–2024 school year. He later spent two successful years at Boonville High School, where he helped students earn All-District and All-State honors while consistently receiving “1” ratings with the Laura Speed Elliott 7th Grade Band and the Boonville Festival Band. In addition to teaching, he serves as an adjudicator for All-District and All-State Tuba auditions. Currently residing in Kansas City with his wife and two cats, Mr. Watts remains active in the music education community through memberships in the Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Bandmasters Association, and Missouri State Teachers Association.

I have been teaching for 10 years and am coming from Capital City High School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School over in Jefferson City. I have spent the last 10 years teaching everything from Elementary, Middle, and

High School Band, to leading Marching Band, Jazz Band and conducting Wind Ensemble. My passions for what I do started right where you are - in middle school band. My musical philosophy is grounded in the belief that mastery is attainable for all students who work hard and who have dedicated teachers and mentors in their life that care about them. I want to create life-long lovers of music! My wife Jenna and I have a beautiful daughter and two dogs named Basil and Kora. When I am not “musicking”, you can find me cheering on the Mizzou Tigers, the hometown teams of KC, cooking, golfing, and being a husband and dad. I am very excited to get to work and meet everyone that makes the band and

community of Oak Park so great!