
ABOUT
"Scotland's queer music sensation"
- Alan Cumming
"special kind of songwriting talent"
- Lorraine McIntosh
"his music will make you believe in true love and heartbreak"
- BBC
"every shade of fabulous"
- Billie Ray Martin
"very talented composer"
- Raw Material
Colin Ross Waterson is a queer composer-lyricist working across Theatre and Art. Currently based in Glasgow, he trained in music at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (junior programme) and musical theatre at London Studio Centre—both on scholarships. He was a member of Royal Scottish National Orchestra (youth ensemble), performed in three seasons with Scottish Youth Theatre, and made his professional debut—aged thirteen—in Scottish Opera's Death in Venice.
Currently, he is working on new Scottish musical A Second Chance; sung-through musical Two Susans; and gig-theatre piece One Night Only—all in collaboration with writer-choreographer Ben Hartley. He is also developing a new opera with contemporary artist, Bert Gilbert. Recently completed commissions include: a new song for short film Blood Out of a Stone directed by Ben Allen; a classical crossover ident for RTL Nederlands; composing and producing a video project for Billie Ray Martin called Five Takes; a sound sculpture for The Horror Show at Somerset House; and score / song for multi award-winning short film Early Mourning.
Prior to his career as a composer, Colin performed as a dancer—most notably as a member of Matthew Bourne's dance theatre company—creating various roles in the now iconic Swan Lake, dancing in both the Olivier Award-winning West End and Tony Award®-winning Broadway runs. He also worked on Cinderella and Highland Fling. He was a founder member of Intoto Dance Company, performing work by Siobhan Davies, Richard Alston, Ian Spink, Rafael Bonachela, and Darshan Singh-Bhuller.
In addition to performing, he recorded as Waterson for many years. In addition to three solo albums—Dada, Basquiat Beats & Paris Still Burns—he has to his name: club hit Tell Me; Grammy-nominated Skylight; and a slew of underground classics including Scars with KDA on the [PIAS] label, Strip Down with Smokin' Jo on the Junior Boys Own label and Ego with Ashley Beedle on the Ramrock label. He has collaborated with seminal names in house music: Black Science Orchestra, Kenny Dope, Honey Dijon, Terry Farley, and Severino.
Colin is an Associate with Pearson (the world's leading education company) where he wrote and reviewed many units in the new Performing Arts / Music curriculum at BTEC level.
His titles are published by Intrigue Music Publishing NYC.