Gene Watts was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 22, 1937, in New York City. He was raised in a family of musicians, and his father was a professional violinist. Watts started playing the piano at the age of four, and by the time he was six, he was already performing in public. Watts attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied under the tutelage of Rosina Lhevinne. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1958 and went on to pursue a Master of Music degree at the same institution. During his time at Juilliard, Watts won several awards, including the prestigious Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in 1958. After completing his studies, Watts embarked on a successful career as a concert pianist. He performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and his performances were highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. He was particularly noted for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. One of the highlights of Watts' career was his performance at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow in 1962. He was the first American pianist to participate in the competition, and his performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 earned him a standing ovation from the audience. Although he did not win the competition, his performance was widely praised, and he was awarded a special prize for his interpretation of Tchaikovsky's music. Watts continued to perform at major venues and festivals throughout the world, including the Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the Salzburg Festival in Austria. He also made numerous recordings, including a highly acclaimed series of recordings of the complete piano works of Chopin. In addition to his performing career, Watts was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Juilliard School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as pianists and music educators. Watts received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Avery Fisher Prize in 1973, the National Medal of Arts in 1991, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004. He was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2003. Watts continued to perform and teach until his death on March 21, 2018, at the age of 80. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, and his recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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