David Watkins completed his Master of Music in Performance from Miami University (OH), where he was the Graduate Assistant in Percussion and Athletic Bands under Dr. Bill Albin and Dr. Stephen Lytle. At Miami, he served as the drumline instructor and composer/arranger, as well as co-director of the Miami Pep Band. His master’s thesis is entitled The Snare Drum: An Analysis of Performance Applications and A Comparison of Teaching Approaches. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University, where he studied intensely under Dr. Jason Koontz. During his time at EKU, he was trained in classical music, and specialized in African, Indian, Brazilian, and Caribbean Music. He also served as the drumline section leader, instructor and composer/arranger. 

David has performed with many professional and collegiate ensembles, including competing in the 2016 Panorama competition in Trinidad with the Silverstars Steel Orchestra. At EKU and Miami, he participated in percussion ensembles, steel bands, wind bands, orchestras, and marching bands. In 2008, he marched snare drum for Tates Creek Indoor Ensemble in WGI finals. He has also had multiple performances with Global Rhythms and the PANorama Caribbean Music Festival in Virginia Beach, VA, and has collaborated with artists such as Andy Narell, Ellie Mannette, Liam Teague, Jeff Queen, Srinivas Krishnan, Dave Longfellow, Tom Miller, and Ray Holman. 

Currently, he is the Director of Percussion Studies at John Overton High School, where he teaches many music classes, including guitar, world percussion, and classical percussion ensembles. He is also the Percussion Caption Head for the Vanderbilt University Spirit of Gold Marching Band, where he serves as the percussion director, as well as composer/arranger. He proudly endorses Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets.