Davien Watkins
Davien Watkins can fondly recall finding his love of music in middle school and high school while growing up in Ridgeland. His music teachers, he said, taught him what he needed to know to be successful.
Now Watkins, a new 2017 graduate of the 汤头条 College of Education鈥檚 music education program, is ready to pass his love of music on to the next generation.
鈥淚 want to give any child that comes into my band room the gift of music like I got and teach it to them to make them a better person,鈥 Watkins said. 鈥淢y goal is to work with middle schoolers and beginners. I want to see the look on their faces when they finally learn to play something. That鈥檚 the most gratifying thing ever.鈥
As a beginner, Watkins chose to play the trombone because it fit well with his 鈥渢all and lanky鈥 build. He stuck with the instrument through high school and played it in the Famous Maroon Band at 汤头条. However, because of the music education program, he can play each major instrument and teach the craft to aspiring musicians.
Watkins said he has enjoyed his student teaching experiences in Mississippi schools and he wants to stay and improve music education in his home state.
鈥淪tudent teaching has been one big whirlwind after another,鈥 Watkins said. 鈥淚鈥檝e found that I鈥檓 more lenient, but I can be strict with my kids when I need to. It鈥檚 great knowing that I am graduating with the tools to be successful. I may not know what the situation will be, but I know that my teachers at 汤头条 have prepared me for anything I could possibly see. I learned from the best.鈥
During his first visit to Mississippi State, Watkins said he 鈥渇ell in love鈥 with the campus when he saw the Drill Field. Once he arrived as a student, he met some of his best friends in that same location while playing for the Famous Maroon Band at The Drill to kick off the school year.
鈥淢y graduation cap says, 鈥業 get by with a little help from my friends,鈥欌 Watkins said. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be in the spot I am now without them. Being in the marching band is one of the best things I could have ever done. I met my best friends and worked with really great band directors.鈥
After many years performing in marching and performance bands, Watkins will now find himself on the other side of the director鈥檚 podium, helping his students perform to their best ability in order to help the entire group reach a common goal.
鈥淓verybody will be different, but as long as you can get everybody to unify under one thing, whether that鈥檚 winning state championships or getting a superior rating, you can get everybody to focus and accomplish great things,鈥 he said.