Q&A: Meet Professor Chris Watts
Meet Your Music Mentor
Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Newell Center for Arts Technology Chris Watts brings a creative, hands-on approach to music education that makes technology and artistry accessible to students of all backgrounds. His innovative courses inspire students to explore their unique voices while mastering the tools of modern music production.
What’s your favorite class to teach, and why?
I love teaching Laptop Music. It’s open to all students, regardless of their musical background, and focuses on creating music using production tools. Students spend the semester making three tracks in their chosen style while I create alongside them. It’s an incredibly fun and creative class that attracts everyone from beginners to students with music on Spotify.
What makes your teaching style unique?
In Laptop Music, I combine a spiral curriculum with hands-on creativity. We revisit 10 key topics three times over the semester, each time deepening the concepts as students complete a new project. Class time is spent working alongside students, answering their questions in real-time. This approach makes music production feel approachable and fosters a collaborative environment.
What do you value most about your students?
Their creativity and curiosity. I love seeing them make leaps in their artistic development, finding their voices, and expressing themselves in ways they never thought possible. One student once described experimental music as the R&D wing of popular music—an idea I initially resisted but have come to embrace, thanks to their thoughtful perspective.
What’s an innovative or unusual course you’ve taught?
Over the years, I’ve taught several unique courses, including Collaboration Across the Arts and All Your Art Are Belong to Us. Right now, Laptop Music is my most innovative class, combining accessible technology with individual expression to help students produce music they’re proud of.
What’s been your proudest moment as a professor?
One of my proudest moments came when a former student wrote me a heartfelt thank-you note after graduation. They described how music would bring meaning and joy to their life and tied each insight back to a class we shared or a conversation we had. It was beautifully written and reminded me of why I do this work.
What’s a favorite alumni success story?
Mark Tavern ’94 is an incredible example. He double-majored in physics and music and went on to a successful career in the music industry, working with artists across genres and later founding his own management company. Mark also gives back to St. Lawrence by mentoring students interested in music careers and supporting our NYC Semester. He’s a shining example of how a liberal arts education can lead to impactful, creative careers.
