Niles Watson

Niles Watson

Niles Watson, from Damascus, MD, joined the Columbus Symphony in February 2019. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Jeffrey Khaner. Niles’ prior teachers include Aaron Goldman of the National Symphony Orchestra. Before coming to Columbus, Niles spent two seasons playing full-time with The Philadelphia Orchestra. He has played extensively across the United States and abroad while on tour with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and The Philadelphia Orchestra. 

As a winner of the Greenfield Student Competition, Niles made his solo debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2011. He also has been a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Valley Forge Orchestra, and Amerita Chamber Players. Playing with the Qwinda Woodwind Quintet, Niles toured Colorado as part of the Bravo! Vail Young Professionals In-Residence program in 2016. He also was in-residence with Qwinda at Music from Angel Fire, working at schools and playing local concerts. 

In his free time, Niles enjoys hiking, lifting weights, racing go-karts, racing online in Gran Turismo, and fishing, though he is not very good at any of these activities.