Gregory J. Watkins a native of Columbus, OH is a songwriter and director. Watkins musical journey began at age 10 when he started playing organ for the children’s choir in his local church. A self-taught musician raised in the church, as a child, had a great appreciation for gospel music and an even greater love and appreciation for choirs. As a self-taught musician, being raised in the church, Greg even as a child had a great appreciation for gospel music and an even greater love and appreciation for choir.

After playing for the children’s choir and the youth and young adult choir for many years, finally at the age of 23 Greg began directing the young adult choir which he renamed “The Anointed Voices of Higher Ground.” Known to most as (AV). AV is the 2014 Kingdom Image Awards recipient for Large Choir of the Year. Greg currently still serves faithfully in his local church Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies as the assistant minister of music and also plays keyboard bass every Sunday.

In 2017 Greg took a leap of faith and founded Gregory J Watkins and The Worship & Praise Chorale, a community choir comprised of 45+ singers from all over the state of Ohio, bridging the gap in denomination, age, and all walks of life. Greg and The Chorale was the 2018 Kingdom Image Awards recipient for Large Choir of the Year. The Chorale is set to embark upon their freshman project late 2022.