Janice Watson studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and first came to prominence as winner of the Kathleen Ferrier memorial award.

Her concerts include the Boston Symphony Orchestra under both Norrington and Previn, the San Francisco Symphony under Tilson-Thomas, the London Symphony Orchestra under Colin Davis, Previn and Chailly, the Orchestre de Paris under Brgen, the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields under Marriner, the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Haitink and both the Chicago Symphony and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestras under Riccardo Chailly.

Her many recordings include Orff sCarmina Buranafor Virgin Classics, Poulenc sGloriafor Chandos and HowellsMissa Sabrinensisunder Rozhdestvensky. She recorded Ellen Orford under Richard Hickox for Chandos (for which she received a Grammy Award) and with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Colin Davis on the LSO Live label; Helena inA Midsummer Night s Dreamunder Sir Colin Davis for Philips Classics and the title role in enufa?under Sir Charles Mackerras for Chandos.