
ABOUT
"Scotland's queer music sensation"
- Alan Cumming
"special kind of of 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 composer, lyricist and producer working across Theatre, Film, Sound & Art. Originally from Glasgow, he trained in music at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (junior programme) and theatre at London Studio Centre. He was a member of Royal Scottish National Orchestra (youth ensemble), and made his professional debut—aged thirteen—in Benjamin Britten's Death in Venice.
Currently, he is writing music & lyrics for new British musical A Second Chance; dance-theatre piece Two Susans; and a new song for short film Paris Still Burns—all in collaboration with writer-choreographer Ben Hartley. Recently completed commissions include: sound design for an Arts Council project with contemporary artist, Bert Gilbert; 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 wearable 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-winning West End and TONY-winning Broadway runs. He also worked on Cinderella and Highland Fling. He was also a founder member of Intoto Dance Company, performing work by Siobhan Davies, Richard Alston, Ian Spink, Rafael Bonachela, and Darshan Singh-Bhuller.
During his time as a performer, he recorded as Waterson, singing on a wide array of music. Highlights include: club hit Tell Me; Grammy-nominated Skylight with film composer Kim Planert; 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. His music routinely got support from all the big hitters and he collaborated with seminal names in house music: Black Science Orchestra, Kenny Dope, Honey Dijon, Terry Farley, and Severino.
Colin is also an educator, having helped create the first music apprenticeship scheme in England and leading an access music project for NEET learners in east London. He is an Associate with Pearson (the world's leading education company) where he wrote and reviewed many units in the new Performing Arts / Dance curriculum at BTEC level.
His titles are published by Intrigue Music Publishing NYC.
Download CV here for full credits.