James Watson

Principal Second Violin

With RMSO since Season 6

James Watson is an award-winning violinist, composer, and collaborative musician based in Calgary, Alberta. Since earning his Bachelor of Music (Minor in Linguistics) from the University of Calgary in 2021, James has established himself as a fulltime freelance musician and acquired a broadly eclectic resume working as a sessional musician, performing artist, and educator. His standout work includes creative residencies at Arts Commons, as well as founding genre-bending ensembles Music As Puppetry and Electronic Symphonia. James’ most eclectic highlights include performing at 70K in the Caribbean with his YYC music award winning band Cabrakaän, opening for the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra, and presenting at the 9th Jazz Futures music conference in Amsterdam. James is also an experienced orchestral player and leader across Canada as demonstrated through his work as principal second of the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, principal second of Electronic Symphonia, concertmaster of the Key 30 Orchestra, and as a section member of the Juno-nominated Orchestre de la Francophonie.