Katharine Watts

Katharine Watts – soprano (MA Hons, ATCL, Dip Tchg) is an accomplished classical singer, with a well-established career as soloist in concert and oratorio. Trained in Auckland and London, she tours extensively as a recitalist. One of New Zealand’s most highly respected singing teachers, she is in demand as voice coach and adjudicator. She is also a highly-skilled public speaker and conference presenter on musical and motivational topics.

Katharine’s vocal training included study in New Zealand with Coreen Gray and Joyce Eyre, and in London with Trinity College Professor Morag Noble. In recent years she has studied frequently with David Harper (London). Her love of words and skill in foreign languages has contributed to her successful and wide-ranging career as a concert soloist. Her repertoire ranges from mediaeval to contemporary works and she specialises in French and German song. As oratorio soloist, she has performed with many of New Zealand’s leading ensembles and choirs.

Katharine’s passion for communicating her love of songs has led her to devise innovative themed and scripted concerts with her husband, Peter Watts, as accompanist, in which they constantly explore new and unusual repertoire. Their latest nationwide touring venture is a recital called “Inspired”.

Bandwagon, Katharine and Peter’s touring primary school music programme, is presented to thousands of children annually. Bandwagon offers four different lively and colourful shows, winning children for music and also presenting science and conservation topics through music.

Katharine sings in the professional sextet Calico Jam, in duo Two’s Company with soprano Shona McIntyre-Bull, and for many years was a member of the Orlando Singers. She and Peter co-organise Thursdays @ Seven series in Howick, which offers the community regular, high-quality, accessible classical concerts close to home.

Katharine’s strong commitment to the development of people’s vocal and personal potential has kept her busy as a singing teacher, voice coach and adjudicator. She has worked as voice coach for choirs in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. As President of NEWZATS (NZ Association of Teachers of Singing), she organised successful national conferences and international speaker tours. She has been a delegate to the International Congress of Voice Teachers (ICVT) in London, Helsinki and Vancouver. A skilled writer, Katharine is a regular contributor to the journals of NEWZATS and ANATS (Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing).