Education
Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
Master of Music, Music Production, Expected 2027
Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT
Master of Music, Music Technology, 2025, GPA: 4.0
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Bachelor of Arts, Film, 2006
Additional Musical Training, New York City, NY
Intensive vocal training with Katie Agresta (Jon Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper), 2017 - Present
Bass instruction with Patrick Pfeiffer (Adam Clayton of U2, Alec Such of Bon Jovi), 2017 - Present
Certificates & Professional Training
Audio & Post-Production
Avid Certified: Pro Tools Specialist, Avid, 2024
After Effects I, New York University Professional Development, 2012
Editor’s Craft, New York University Professional Development, 2011
Systems & Engineering
Computer Science and Programming Using Python, MITx, 2025
Python 3 Course, CodeAcademy, 2025
Architecture & Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2017
Quantitative Methods in System Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2017
Model-Based Systems Engineering: Documentation and Analysis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2017
Models in Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016
Architecture of Complex Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016
Creative Leadership & Strategy
Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders, Yale School of Management, 2016
Language & Communication
Japanese I, New York University Professional Development, 2016
Additional Certifications
Private Pilot Certificate, Federal Aviation Administration, 2017
Professional Experience
88th Street Records, New York, NY, 2019 - Present
Music Producer, Composer
Led music production with a technical emphasis on signal chain refinement, DAW optimization, and vocal modeling. Developed repeatable workflows for multi-artist projects, integrating novel tuning systems and real-world acoustic data to inform arrangement and mixing choices.
Codigo, New York, NY, 2015 - Present
Engineering Director (Co-founder)
Directed the technical systems design and implementation for cross-media production tools, including custom DAW integrations, real-time audio/video processing pipelines, and online education infrastructure. Oversaw architecture for interactive music and learning platforms, including tools used in studio education and remote instruction.
The Big Purple Tree Creative Studio, New York, NY, 2008 - 2015
Director of Video Production
Created instructional, training, promotional and advertising materials for corporate and government clients. Produced music videos and commercials from live events and on-set productions.
Freelance, New York, NY, 2008 - 2012
Video Producer, Editor
Created video stories and storyboard animatics using non-linear software. Logged, transferred, and captured source video in various codecs and formats. Created assembly, rough, and final cuts.
NEP Broadcasting, New York, NY, 2008 - 2011
Production Assistant
Set up the production office, announcers’ booths, graphics rooms. Prepared, assembled, and connected video feeds and camera towers. Assisted broadcast engineers and production crew.
Research & Curriculum Development
Human–AI Co-Creation in Melody Writing: A MIDI-Native Pilot on Flow, Authorship, and Control, 2025
Preprint on MediArXiv: https://osf.io/preprints/mediarxiv/zwtgp_v1 Manuscript in preparation for ISMIR.
I designed a reproducible MIDI-native human–AI co-writing system and used a within-subjects pilot to gather initial evidence about how different workflows affect flow, authorship, and stylistic control.
GitHub Repository: https://github.com/jaredwatkins/music-transformer-ai-writer
Audio output: https://on.soundcloud.com/p55tuggt7Q8mAhD70x
AI for Songwriting and Music Production: Graduate Course (Under Review), 2025
Graduate-level exploration of AI and machine learning across the music lifecycle, covering MIR, source separation, intelligent mixing/mastering, and generative composition. Applied deep learning, text-to-MIDI, and text-to-music systems for creative production and analysis.
https://www.loom.com/share/f1a8055f8de44623b2873d2d5434165a
Human-in-the-Loop AI in Mixing and Mastering: Evaluating Creative Control in Audio Processing Tools, 2024
Preprint on OSF: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ZCS6K
This study evaluates how suggestive and automatic AI-assisted mixing and mastering systems influence user agency, sonic clarity, and creative decision-making across production workflows.
Visualization-Based Audio Analysis Using Waveforms, Spectrograms, and Amplitude Envelopes, 2024
Preprint on OSF: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/435KA
This paper examines how waveform, spectrogram, and amplitude-envelope visualizations support music signal interpretation and classification, connecting signal-processing features to human interpretability in MIR and AI-assisted workflows.
Evaluating Parametric and Non-Parametric AI Models for Music Generation: A Hands-On Comparative Study, 2024
Preprint on OSF: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/47ABW
This comparative analysis investigates how symbolic and audio-based AI music generation systems differ in control granularity, musical coherence, and downstream creative utility for composition and production.
Coexistence or Control: Ethical Reflections on AI in Music Creation, 2024
Preprint on OSF: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/A5VY6
This paper examines authorship, transparency, and creative agency in AI-assisted music systems and argues for human-centered design practices that support interpretability, informed consent, and equitable collaboration between musicians and machine learning tools.
Teaching & Instruction
AI Across the Music Lifecycle, Guest Lecturer, Southern Utah University, 2025
Presented a one-hour lecture on AI and ML methods across the music lifecycle, including MIR, source separation, intelligent mixing/mastering, and generative composition with text-to-MIDI and text-to-music systems.
Private Music Instruction, 2020-Present
Delivered 1:1 music lessons in bass performance, vocal technique, keyboard and MIDI, and production workflows, tailored to individual learning styles.
Snowboarding Instruction, 2008–2011
Taught private and group snowboarding lessons as an AASI-Certified Instructor, focused on skill development, safety, and confidence on varied terrain.
Selected Credits & Creative Work
Studio Composition & Audio Production
Projects focused on songwriting, arrangement, mixing, and mastering.
Tell Me - Super Love, 2022
Music Producer, Composer, Recording & Mixing Engineer
Produced and engineered a 7/4 alt-pop track using Logic Pro X. Applied advanced MIDI editing, dynamic processing, and Autotune Graph Mode for vocal tuning. Emphasized rhythmic contrast and tonal layering.
https://on.soundcloud.com/Nq4tmP1Ts1WfVi51A
Chill Will - Ultratech, 2023
Co-Writer, Music Producer, Mixing & Mastering Engineer
Produced a synth-driven EDM track for an emerging artist. Integrated original stems with Alchemy-based synths and recorded bass instrumentation. Executed all arrangement, compression, EQ balancing, and manual mastering.
https://on.soundcloud.com/HdkVp91uUPvepeVd8
Integrated Music Production & Visual Direction
Full-stack projects where music production and video storytelling were developed in tandem.
The Moon - Super Love, 2022
Director, Producer, Composer, Editor
Composed and directed a stylized music video blending Motown-inspired basslines and alt-pop vocals. Captured vocals using AKG C414 XLII, programmed drums and electric piano in Logic Pro X, and handled all post-production editing and mix engineering.
https://on.soundcloud.com/TMpLyAqMMBHAr6jv6
https://youtu.be/OROcWZKqqEM?feature=shared
Bored - Super Love, 2022
Co-Director, Composer, Producer, Mixing Engineer
Composed and produced an alt-pop track using rock instrumentation within a pop structure. Engineered vocals with AKG C414 XLII and Autotune Pro; mixed and mastered in Logic Pro X using Chromaverb and amp modeling. Co-directed the accompanying music video.
https://on.soundcloud.com/jIJUWKF4x356gGmjbs
https://youtu.be/hJ8loQvteN8?feature=shared
Industry Recognition & Technical Consulting
Projects that show technical problem-solving, collaboration, and cultural recognition.
Star Wars Uncut, 2010
Assistant Director, Second Unit
Contributed to the Emmy Award-winning fan-film remake of Star Wars, coordinating second-unit directing for a segment of the crowdsourced feature. Directed by Casey Pugh; awarded by the Television Academy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media.
Music School - Studio Transformation, 2020
Technical Consultant
Equipped a boutique vocal and bass school technologies and resources needed for real-time online education, within the parameters of the tight Manhattan studio space. Designed a system to capture the high notes of the soprano’s, as well as the extreme low notes of a 6-string bass performance leading to successful remote offerings, endorsements, and sponsorships.
Honors & Awards
Phi Kappa Phi, Outstanding Academic Achievement Honor Society
Member, 2025 - Present
Inducted based on a 4.0 graduate GPA. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society, recognizing outstanding academic achievement.
Omicron Delta Kappa, The National Leadership Honor Society
Member, 2025 - Present
Recognized for leadership, integrity, and service across academic, artistic, and professional contributions; selected by nomination to the national leadership honor society.
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
Member, 2025 – Present
Recognized for excellence in scientific research and scholarly promise; inducted into the international honor society that supports and celebrates outstanding contributions across the sciences and engineering.
Primetime Emmy Award, Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Fiction
Contributor, 2010
Recognized by the Television Academy for contributions to Star Wars Uncut, which received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Fiction.
Publications
Watkins, Jared. (2024) Super Love: The Music of Je T’aime. 88th Street Publishing, 2024. ISBN: 979-8884411982.
80 pages. https://www.amazon.com/Super-Love-Music-Je-Taime/dp/B0CXWX5DQG
A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the album Je T’aime, exploring artistic process, production techniques, and independent release strategies.
Community Involvement & Volunteer Work
Co-Chair, Reflections Art Competition
2022 - Present
Provide annual leadership for a community-based arts showcase supporting young creators. Coordinate event planning, artist outreach, judging, and community engagement to elevate youth participation in the visual and performing arts.
Volunteer Interpreter, Middle School Math Classroom
Provided translation and language support for English language learners (ELL) at an under-privileged inner-city school, assisting with comprehension and classroom participation.
Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Volunteered as a youth mentor, offering creative enrichment and personal support through weekly one-on-one sessions.
Professional Affiliations
ISMIR
Member, 2024 - Present
Global academic community focused on the advancement of music technology, machine learning, and information retrieval.
ASCAP
Member, 2024 - Present
Performance rights organization supporting composers and publishers through licensing, advocacy, and royalties management.
AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)
Member, 2017 - Present
National organization supporting general aviation and private pilots.
AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts)
Member, 2016 - Present
Professional association for design, dedicated to advancing the value of design in business and culture.
Skills & Technical Proficiencies
Instruments
Electric bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, alto saxophone, piano/keys, vocals
Audio Production
Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, MIDI programming, multi-take vocal comping, EQ and dynamic processing, stereo imaging, manual mastering, track referencing
Recording & Engineering
AKG C414 XLII, Shure SM57, DI/mic blending, AKAI MPK261, acoustic treatment, signal flow optimization
Video Production
Non-linear editing (Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere), After Effects motion graphics, storyboard animatics, multi-format media handling, live and studio-based camera work
Post-Production
Sound design, ADR, Foley, color correction, compression formats, syncing audio and visual assets
Creative Direction & Technical Leadership
End-to-end media production, cross-functional team collaboration, directing on-set and in-studio, project scoping for commercial and independent content
Genres & Styles
Music: Jazz, Alt-pop, Rock, EDM, R&B, Neo-Soul
Film and TV: Commercial media, sports, narrative, short form, instructional/training content