Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Benjamin isn’t trying to ruffle feathers, but he’s quick to answer for why he was first drawn to the French Horn.
At only 15, Benjamin (Benji) Watson has grand aspirations, pushing himself past his limits to achieve the sound he wants.
Sitting down with WXXI Classical Host, Steve Johnson, Benji talks about his virtuosic tendencies from birth and his aspirations to be the best.
For more information about In the Key of Z, head to wxxi.org/projects/in-the-key-of-z-classical
Funding for this series was graciously provided by
The Jane K. and Robert C. Stevens Fund for New Programming
and Underberg & Kessler LLP
WXXI Public Broadcasting:
Host – Steve Johnson
Executive Producer – Katie Epner
Camera – Katie Epner, Jason Milton, Austin Radford
Editor – Katie Epner
Motion Graphics – Jeff Coles Smith
Audio Engineer – Andrew Croucher
Vice President of Television – Todd McCammon
WXXI Classical Program Director – Ruth Phinney
Communications Manager – Kristin Tutino
Web Developer – Cindy George
Creative Director – Jon Haliniak
Vice President of Radio – Jeanne Fisher
Vice President of Development – Kathy Reed
Director of Leadership Giving – Leah Noonan
Director of Corporate Sponsorship – Alison Zero Jones
Account Manager – Michelle Picardo
Promotions Producer – Kevin Indovino
Executive Vice President & General Manager – Susan Rogers
WXXI President & CEO – Chris Hastings
Benjamin isn’t trying to ruffle feathers, but he’s quick to answer for why he was first drawn to the French Horn.
At only 15, Benjamin (Benji) Watson has grand aspirations, pushing himself past his limits to achieve the sound he wants.
Sitting down with WXXI Classical Host, Steve Johnson, Benji talks about his virtuosic tendencies from birth and his aspirations to be the best.
For more information about In the Key of Z, head to wxxi.org/projects/in-the-key-of-z-classical
Funding for this series was graciously provided by
The Jane K. and Robert C. Stevens Fund for New Programming
and Underberg & Kessler LLP
WXXI Public Broadcasting:
Host – Steve Johnson
Executive Producer – Katie Epner
Camera – Katie Epner, Jason Milton, Austin Radford
Editor – Katie Epner
Motion Graphics – Jeff Coles Smith
Audio Engineer – Andrew Croucher
Vice President of Television – Todd McCammon
WXXI Classical Program Director – Ruth Phinney
Communications Manager – Kristin Tutino
Web Developer – Cindy George
Creative Director – Jon Haliniak
Vice President of Radio – Jeanne Fisher
Vice President of Development – Kathy Reed
Director of Leadership Giving – Leah Noonan
Director of Corporate Sponsorship – Alison Zero Jones
Account Manager – Michelle Picardo
Promotions Producer – Kevin Indovino
Executive Vice President & General Manager – Susan Rogers
WXXI President & CEO – Chris Hastings
