Dr Sarah K Watts

I studied clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and bass clarinet at Rotterdam Conservatorium, Holland. My studies in Rotterdam where I won the Exxon prize for the best classical music student were funded by a Leverhulme Trust Studentship.

Successes include: Winner, UK Howarth Clarinet Competition 2000; Winner, Hawkes Clarinet Prize (RAM) 2001; Winner of wind section, UK Performing Australian Music competition, 2001; Finalist, Wind section, Royal Overseas League Competition 2000.

I specialise in low clarinets and have gained an International reputation as an artist, teacher and researcher on the instrument. I have performed around the UK, Ireland, Asia, Europe and the Americas and attracted composers including Sir Harrison Birtwistle, George Nicholson, Piers Hellawell and William Sweeney to write works for me.

I also teach bass clarinet at RNCM, Manchester. I music courses on the Isle of Raasay, Scotland and direct wind chamber courses in the UK and France. I have given masterclasses at universities and conservatoires around the world. I perform with several chamber music ensembles including Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble (Belfast), rarescale and SCAW.

My PhD researched bass clarinet multiphonics and I have published a leading resource on this subject.

I am Vandoren UK artist, Selmer Clarinet artist and a Silverstein Ligature artist.