Paul Watkins has established himself as one of the finest cellists of his generation. He performs regularly with the major British orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Philharmonic. He has made six appearances at the BBC Proms, most recently at the First Night of the 2007 season performing the Elgar concerto. Paul has appeared as a concerto soloist throughout Europe, Australia and the Far East.

Alongside his playing, Paul has a busy schedule as a conductor, having won first prize at the Leeds Conductors’ Competition in 2002. Since that time, he has worked with many orchestras including the London Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony and the London Philharmonic, and this season he will make his debut as Associate Conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra.

Paul Watkins has given solo and duo recitals at Wigmore Hall, City of London Festival, South Bank Centre, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, as well as recitals in New York, Boston and throughout Europe. He has recorded for Nimbus, Chandos and Bis Records and his first CD for Warner Classics received a Grammy nomination.