Student Spotlight: Julia Watt, Bass Drum

When the woman answered the door speaking in Spanish, Julia Watt could feel both halves of her coming together: the half passionate about politics and the half that loved studying the Spanish language. She had been knocking on doors for a political initiative, thrilled to see her two passions come together in such a beautiful way. 

Watt is an incoming senior double majoring in Spanish and Women and Gender Studies (WGS).

"There are a lot of different avenues in Spanish and WGS, and a large capacity for arts and creativity," Watt said. "I really like the flexibility and interdisciplinary nature and the crossover between the two. I also love the faculty. I feel really comfortable having conversations with professors. They're really on your level and really interested in student success and interests."

Watt was originally a communications major, but made the switch when she realized she was drawn to WGS courses. WGS has enabled Watt to analyze her interest in politics from different perspectives.

"Women are actually the majority of students in law school today, but there's still a level of 'you couldn't possibly know as much about politics as I do' from colleagues or there's also people who just don't care about women's issues because they don't think it affects them," Watt said. "In middle school, I was very brazen and gruff and not as educated, and I got a lot of 'you're just a really outspoken and loud jerk.' I am very lucky to be in the WGS department. Coming into conversations with empathy and a cool head really helps. You cannot yell at people into agreeing with you because you think you're morally superior."

Watt has been working in politics since she was in her freshman year of high school, during the 2016 election. 

"I got involved in my hometown's democratic office and did entry-level door knocking for local candidates," Watt said. "Growing up in a town that wasn't as politically active as Ann Arbor lit a fire. I grew up in a working class family as a woman. Seeing disparities day-to-day motivated me to do something to change those circumstances."

In the summer of 2023, Watt worked with Senator Tammy Duckworth in her office in Chicago. Previously, Watt worked with a non-profit to expand healthcare resources in the midwest.

"There is a very personal aspect and that is what keeps me going: knowing these campaigns directly impact people," Watt said. "Rest is extremely important, knowing your limits and being able to talk to people when you need help. I have been fortunate to work on campaigns that were mindful of that and respected when we needed to sit out. Last summer, they brought in group therapy when Roe fell; workers from all levels were there feeling the same pain and we were able to talk about it together."

Watt is also a part of the Lloyd Scholars Writing and the Arts (LSWA) program, a living learning community focused on writing and the arts.The program is housed in the Alice Lloyd dorms and serves as an introduction into UM by creating a smaller community for new students. Once students have spent a year in the program, they can take on mentorship roles, leading courses on creative expression and community events. 

Watt is a bass drum in the drumline. Although she originally played piano, Watt had been a choir student throughout middle school and had not picked up bass drum until she was 13. 

"Originally, when I switched over they put me on piano, marimba and xylophone," Watt said. "I joined two weeks before festival and had to learn really quickly. Later that year, my middle school band was asked to perform at a minor league baseball game in Grand Rapids. We borrowed marching band equipment from a high school. They gave me the smallest bass drum. It ended up getting rained out, but we had numerous rehearsals leading up to it. I only had keyboard experience, so I was flying by the seat of my pants."

Watt's positive experience with drumline in high school led her to inquire about the Michigan drumline. Unfortunately, when she reached out to Dr. Ricotta in the April of her senior year, she found out that drum tech rehearsal had been going on since January. Nevertheless, she decided to pursue drumline, cranking out videos of her doing drills on a drum pad. 

"It was a steep learning curve; there was a lot more music, and it had to all be memorized," Watt said. "Focus on confidence as well as the technical aspect. You have to physically play the drums and feel good about it. Even if you can physically handle it, if you're not confident, it shows."

Watt was presented with a new challenge in college drumline: while nearly half of the line in her high school were women, at Michigan there were a lot less present, despite the larger size.

"I was lucky to be greeted by a number of amazing female players on drumline, bassline and cymbal line, but it was a different kind of ratio than I was used to," Watt said. "Learning how to navigate a space that is predominantly masculine; changing that requires people who are passionate and who are bold and I think that's really important. I will be the only female returning member, excluding the cymbal line. Being in a drumline that is perceived as a more masculine space has given me the tools to navigate spaces like that, especially in politics and law, but it is difficult to see yourself in that space. I want to see the number of women grow."

The drumline poses its challenges, but it also offers the opportunity to share unique moments with the community.

"I love step show," Watt said. "It is such a unique and exciting thing to be a part of. The stuff we play is really technical, but we get a huge crowd to show it off. I can tell friends to come to the step show if they can't go to the game. I love pageantry and how challenging it is, and the image of us setting up in the hall for Revelli Exit and getting to show off when I'm normally a pinprick on the field."

The drumline also does dress up days and carries on unique traditions.

"We have the little stuffed animal octopi," Watt said. "It started a few years ago, from a tenor player Henry. He brought a stuffed octopus with him named Franklin and Franklin lived in his tenor drum. Soon enough, everybody wanted a Franklin and a bunch got their own. I like to bring mine to hockey band. Also, at the end of rehearsal, we play this little lick and it starts with bass drums. I don't remember how or where I learned to do it. Alumni from the 70s came back for 'Blast from the Past' and they played it. It's just one of those traditions passed down by rote."

After graduation, Watt plans to get experience working in politics and apply to law school.