San Diego Natives Sara Watkins and Joseph Lorge Win 2026 Grammys

Nickel Creek co-founder and recording engineer earn top honors at music's biggest night.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 3:31pm

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San Diego natives Sara Watkins and Joseph Lorge were among the big winners at the 68th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Watkins, a co-founder of the acclaimed bluegrass group Nickel Creek, won two Grammys as part of the trio I'm With Her. Recording engineer and musician Lorge, a Coronado High School graduate, earned his first Grammy victory for his work on the album "That Wasn't A Dream."

Why it matters

The Grammy wins for Watkins and Lorge highlight the rich musical talent that has emerged from the San Diego region over the years. Both artists credit their early musical training and experiences in the local community as key factors in their success, underscoring the importance of nurturing young musicians and providing them with opportunities to learn and grow.

The details

Watkins won Grammys for Best American Roots Song ("Ancient Lights") and Best Folk Album ("Wild And Clear And Blue") with her I'm With Her bandmates Aoife O'Donovan and Sarah Jarosz. Lorge shared the Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical award with Blake Mills and Patricia Sullivan for their work on "That Wasn't A Dream." Lorge, who had four previous Grammy nominations, credited his musical foundation to growing up in Coronado and attending the Coronado School of the Arts.

  • Sara Watkins and I'm With Her won their Grammys during the live-streamed afternoon pre-telecast portion of the 68th annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2026.
  • Joseph Lorge, Blake Mills, and Patricia Sullivan won their Grammy during the main Grammys telecast on February 2, 2026.

The players

Sara Watkins

A singer, songwriter, and violinist who co-founded the acclaimed bluegrass-and-beyond trio Nickel Creek. She won two Grammys as a member of the rootsy trio I'm With Her.

Joseph Lorge

A recording engineer and musician who graduated from Coronado High School in 2008. He won his first Grammy for his work on the album "That Wasn't A Dream."

Aoife O'Donovan

A singer-songwriter and member of the trio I'm With Her, which won two Grammys.

Sarah Jarosz

A singer-songwriter and member of the trio I'm With Her, which won two Grammys.

Blake Mills

A musician who shared the Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Grammy with Joseph Lorge and Patricia Sullivan.

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What they’re saying

“Holy smoke! It's really a dream to be part of his community. Thank you all so much.”

— Sara Watkins (The Recording Academy)

“I started really getting into music when I was at Coronado High School and the Coronado School of the Arts. I started dabbling in computer technology and (recording) engineering way back then in our school's music lab.”

— Joseph Lorge (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

“What we are seeing here (at the Grammys) is the incredible importance of the community of musicians we belong to. We were able to grow up with musicians mentoring us and learning with other kids, and for me tat was in a pizza parlor. My brother and I would play with other kids and learn from and play with our teachers, and it was such a privilege.”

— Sara Watkins (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

The San Diego music community will likely continue to celebrate the Grammy wins of Watkins and Lorge, highlighting the region's rich musical heritage and the importance of nurturing young talent.

The takeaway

The Grammy victories of San Diego natives Sara Watkins and Joseph Lorge demonstrate the enduring impact that a supportive local music community can have on the development and success of talented artists. Their stories underscore the vital role that music education and mentorship play in cultivating the next generation of musical innovators.