Grammy nominated Welsh cellist and conductor Paul Watkins has enjoyed an illustrious musical career. Whether performing as a chamber musician or music director, his talent for collaboration is unparalleled. Paul reflects on his early beginnings, why he saw professional classical musicians as untouchable in his youth, and how this perspective changed while he attended the Yehudi Menuhin school as a teenager. David asks what it was like to lead the cello section of the BBC Symphony Orchestra at age 20 without any professional experience (terrifying!) and how Paul found the courage to ultimately forge a path as a soloist and chamber musician. Paul discusses how he nearly turned down an audition for the famed Emerson String Quartet, which he ultimately joined thanks to his encouraging wife and a bottle of champagne! To close it out, Paul leaves listeners with invaluable advice.

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Photograph of Paul Watkins by Jurgen Frank.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

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