Meet Our Conductors & Staff
Alex Encinas
Artistic Director & Lead Conductor of the Scherzo Ensemble
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Director of Education
Member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
Alex Encinas is a true citizen of the world. He was born in Peru, but his passion for music has taken him to Russia, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Argentina, Germany, Japan, France and finally to the United States. At the beginning of his international career, he studied violin in Moscow and worked as a violinist with orchestras all around the world. But it was the viola that truly captured his heart and he earned a Master’s degree in Performance at the University of Southern Mississippi on the Viola. His goal as Director of Education of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is to work closely with Jackson Public Schools and attract new audiences.
To date, Mr. Encinas’ career as a professional musician includes his participation in important festivals and institutions, including the International Tour, I Musici Estensi from Italy (viola), the International Tour, Arpeggionoi Chamber Orchestra from Austria (Viola), and the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. He was the Assistant to the Concertmaster at the Symphony Orchestra at the Cité Université in Paris, France, and at the Orquesta Filarmónicain Lima, Peru. He was also the Artistic Director of the Association Cultural Despertando Talentosin of Lima, Peru, as well as the Personnel and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. In Russia, he was the manager of the Chamber Orchestra Astraxan, and the president of the Russian-Hispanic Community Association. Currently, Mr. Encinas is a violist with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and performs with various ensembles across the country.
Taylis Fernandez
Cello Coach & Conductor, Allegretto Orchestra
Member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
Cellist Taylis Fernández, an American-Cuban musician, embarked on her cello journey in Havana, Cuba. By the tender age of 15, she had already earned a coveted spot in the prestigious Early Music chamber ensemble, Ars Longa. Her talents took her on captivating tours across various South American countries, including Mexico and Colombia, and she even graced the renowned International Cervantino Festival. Taylis made her mark with Ars Longa, contributing to several critically acclaimed CDs, including the award-winning "Eco de las Indias," where she showcased her prowess on the viola da gamba.
Upon her arrival in the United States, she continued to pursue her passion for cello performance. Taylis obtained both her undergraduate and master's degrees in cello performance under the tutelage of Dr. Alexander Russakovsky from the University of Southern Mississippi. During her academic journey at Southern Mississippi, she held the prestigious position of principal cellist in The Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra, affording her the privilege of performing alongside luminaries such as Plácido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma, and Joshua Bell.
Her musical education also led her to Oklahoma State University, where she honed her skills under the tutelage of esteemed cello professor Jeffrey Noel Lastrapes. Throughout her student years, Taylis had the invaluable opportunity to receive guidance from renowned cellists such as Colin Carr, Paul Katz, and Eric Kim.
As an orchestra musician, Taylis's talent knows no bounds. She has graced the stage with the Sphinx Orchestra, been a member of the Tulsa Symphony and Tulsa Opera in Oklahoma, contributed to the Fort Smith Symphony in Arkansas, and lent her talents to the Mobile Symphony Orchestra in Alabama. For several years, she has been a dedicated member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
Her passion for both teaching and performing shines through as a faculty member of the Premier Orchestra Institute and the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra. Here, she imparts her wisdom to aspiring musicians, all while occasionally taking center stage as a soloist or engaging in the magic of chamber music. Ms. Fernandez's love for music and teaching extends to her role as the cello teacher at Millsaps Conservatory. Furthermore, she is the visionary founder of the Mississippi Fine Arts String Trio, with whom she has embarked on captivating tours through Chile and Peru. Her journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the world of music and her commitment to nurturing the talents of future generations.
Tammy Luke
Conductor, Allegretto Orchestra
Member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
Tammy is a graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music. She then graduated from Northern Arizona University with a master’s degree in viola performance with an emphasis on Suzuki violin.
She plays viola in the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra in addition to teaching strings for the MSO strings program. She also serves as All-City Conductor for the Jackson Public School District’s Orchestra Program. She co-coordinated the All-City Program for four years.
Tammy is a certified Suzuki violin instructor and has served as a clinician in several Suzuki institutes. She is also certified in the Mark O’Connors violin method. She served as a clinician in the 2022 Tupelo Suzuki Fall Kickoff, 2006 Greater New Orleans Suzuki Summer Institute and taught in the 2012, 2018, & 2022 Premier Orchestra Institute. She continues to explore educational avenues by attending clinics and conferences: 2022 Mimi Zweig workshop, 2022 Mark Mutter Group class ideas, 2021 ASTA workshop, 2018 American String teachers Conference, 2014 Charleston Mark O’Connor Camp, 2012 40th Suzuki of Americas Conference, 2012 New Orleans Suzuki Clinic, 2008-2011 American String Teachers Association Conference and Greater Washington Suzuki Institute.
In her free time, Tammy enjoys trivia games, walking, geocaching, pottery & ceramics and dog agility competitions.
Davan Sagara
Brass Coach
Member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
Appointed in 2024, Davan Sagara joined the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra as principal trumpet. Raised in Pearl City, Hawaii, Davan began playing the trumpet at the age of 10 and has been in love with music ever since. The day he found out that you can make a living playing the trumpet, he knew what he would be doing for the rest of his life.
Davan studied at the Eastman School of Music under James Thompson earning a Bachelors in Trumpet Performance, Music Education, and Mathematics where he earned the elusive Performer’s Certificate as well as the Sidney Mear award for trumpet. He was recently a fellow at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara studying with Paul Merkelo and Barbara Butler, and performed in Carnegie Hall with the New York String Orchestra. As a soloist, Davan has performed with the Kamuela Philharmonic, as well as in recitals across the country from Buffalo, NY to Honolulu, HI.
Davan teaches trumpet privately, as well as being a guest clinician for trumpet and band classes. He has also taught early childhood general music, and music classes in grade schools.
He hopes to share his love of music through his playing and teaching. On his free time he likes to surf, spend time outdoors, and fix things he accidentally breaks.
Kim Scarbrough
Woodwind Coach
Kim Scarbrough has been a professional music educator for over 30 years, teaching in public school, private school, and home school settings. She currently teaches private flute, piano, and voice lessons in the greater Jackson area. Kim is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, the Mississippi Music Teachers Association and the Music Forum of Jackson.
Kim received her degree in Music Education from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (Wheaton, Illinois), where she studied flute, piano, and voice.
A musical visionary, Kim is at her best when she is leading students in the creation of memorable musical experiences – from a performance of favorite scenes and songs from Les Miserables, to worship and folk/bluegrass ensembles, to her new favorite –the MYSO Woodwind Ensemble!
Andrew Dillon
Beginner Violin Teacher & Theory Coach
Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Dillon is an artist, performer, and educator born and raised in Jackson, MS, who is passionate about music through social change. Andrew matriculated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education in K-12 Strings. He received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Longy School of Music at Bard College. Mr. Dillon believes all children should have a robust, active music life and he strives to ensure all children have access to classical music education. With more than 15 years of experience as an elementary music educator in Mississippi and North Carolina, Andrew uses his training in social emotional learning combined with his education and professional artistic talents to integrate music and other arts into math, science, language arts, history, social studies, and religion. Mr. Dillon specializes in lessons, workshops, and performances in children’s museums, public and private schools, after school programs, summer art camps, libraries, community centers, special events, and performing arts venues.
Alina Shook
Director
Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra
Alina Shook is originally from Memphis, TN but moved to the Jackson Area in 2018 with her husband, Paul and their three children. She became involved with MYSO as a parent of two orchestra students. She was elected as parent president in 2021 and then was most recently hired by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra to manage the day to day tasks of the youth orchestra.
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Alina has a background in Clinical Social Work where she worked with children and youth for 15+ years. She however chose to leave that career and homeschool her three children in 2012. While two of her children are now in college she continues to homeschool her youngest who is a current member of MYSO.
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Alina grew up playing music and that passion has never left her. Working with the youth orchestra allows her to combine her passion for young people and music together. Her goal is to grow awareness for the youth orchestra in Mississippi and promote positive growth opportunities for young people today.