Vanja Y. Watkins

Vanja Yorgason Watkins, a B.A. and M.A. graduate of Brigham Young University, is a music educator who has taught in Ogden and Salt Lake City schools, as well as at BYU's School of Music. Now semi-retired, she teaches private piano and has served on the Primary General Board and the General Music Committee of the Church. Watkins composed two hymns in the current LDS hymnbook and many songs in The Children's Songbook. She has conducted choirs at General Conference, presented at the BYU Workshop on Church Music, and held various church callings, including ward choir director and Primary activity day leader in the Ensign Peak Ward. She is the mother of five children, grandmother of thirteen, and was married to the late Dr. Jack B. Watkins.