KIYOTO WATANABE (b. 1966), a native of Tokyo, Japan, received a bachelor's degree in organ performance from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He then earned a master's degree in organ performance in 1991, and a doctor of musical arts degree in May 1995 from Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
Dr. Watanabe began studying organ at 16 in Tokyo with Victor C. Searle, who was a student of the well-known late Mildred Andrews. His other teachers include Joyce Jones of Baylor University and McNeil Robinson of Manhattan School of Music. He also studied organ privately with John Weaver.
In recent years, Dr. Watanabe has played concerts for various international organ festivals, including one at the Spreckels Organ Pavillion, in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA (1993, 1995, & 2000), and at the Iglesia Cathedral in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico (1996 & 2000).
Dr. Watanabe currently serves as organist at First United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas, where the late Nita Akin had served as organist for 50 years, from 1918 to 1968.
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