Marie Watkins is in her 35th year of teaching band in Colorado. She has taught grades 5-12 in Littleton, Douglas County, Brighton, and Brush, CO. Mrs. Watkins holds degrees in music education from Wichita State University and from the University of Northern Colorado. Throughout her career, Mrs. Watkins' concert and jazz bands have received Superior Ratings at many festivals around the state, including at CHSAA Concert Band Festivals, Colorado Bandmasters Association Middle School Festivals, the Legend High School Jazz Festival, the Durango Four Corners Festival of Music, and the Cavalcade of Music Festival in Colorado Springs. The Ranch View Middle School 8th Grade Band (Highlands Ranch, CO), under Mrs. Watkins' direction, performed at the CMEA Convention in 2002. Mrs. Watkins is active as a clinician and guest conductor and as an adjudicator at CBA Concert Band Festivals and various solo/ensemble festivals. She continues to perform professionally on clarinet and bassoon. She has performed with the Colorado Wind Ensemble, the Littleton Symphony, the Regis Community Band, and the Quintessential Winds. Mrs. Watkins also maintains a busy private studio, teaching beginning brass, all levels of woodwinds, and piano lessons. Professional associations include the National Association for Music Education, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, and the American School Band Directors Association.