Dan Watson

Dan is a freelance UK based conductor, developing his professional career through a varied portfolio of engagements encompassing orchestral and chamber work, opera and musical theatre. He completed a Masters in orchestral conducting at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Dan currently holds conductorships with Stratford-Upon-Avon Symphony Orchestra, Djanogly Community Orchestra, Blackwood Clarinet Choir, Thumb contemporary music ensemble, the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra and Nova Orchestra Classica. He has regular freelance work across the Midlands including conducting Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s LEAP Ensemble, which is dedicated to enthusing young musicians to pursue a lifelong passion in creating and performing.

Dan featured in the BBC series All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge, as then principal conductor of The People’s Orchestra. The program, designed to inspire and promote amateur music making, reflects many of Dan’s continued aims as a conductor, to bring together professionals and community musicians alike, culminating in high standard performances and rewarding life experiences.

Dan has a particular interest in contemporary music. He is Conductor and Artistic Director of Thumb contemporary music ensemble with whom he won a Musicians Benevolent Fund Emerging Excellence Award, and has directed numerous performances resulting in over 50 premières of new works by established and emerging composers.

He lives in Barwell, Leicestershire, with wife Sally, cat Morris, and an increasingly adventurous daughter, Bethan, who was born in December 2017.