Ray Watkins was first introduced to the piano when he was seven years old.  On his parent’s 16^th anniversary, his dad gave his mother a piano as a gift.  Although his mother never learned to play, Ray would tinkle on the keys from time to time.  Ray had an opportunity to demonstrate his musical gifts when a pianist didn’t show for choir rehearsal.  His parents then enrolled him in classical piano lessons.  He studied music and theory at Duke University from the 9^th through 12^th grades.  While attending Duke he sometimes conducted the Duke Youth Symphony for two years.  Ray debuted at Jones Grove Baptist Church in Hillsborough, NC at the age of 7.  From grade 8 through graduation, he conducted the youth choir at this church.

Ray went on to win numerous talent shows in school and was awarded scholarships to five colleges.  Against his parents’ wishes, he postponed pursuing his education to take his first professional experience in show biz and went on tour with Earth Wind & Fire. Determined however, to master his chosen field, he returned to school and graduated from Elon College.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Performance and Education.  

Ray has served as Assistant Minister of Music at UBC for 7 years.  During that time, he has trained and conducted workshops for various choirs and churches.  Ray was promoted to Minister of Music in October 2009, when Marlon E. Jones accepted the position of Worship Pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA.