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.
Camila Patiño
Conductor, Scherzo Orchestra
Conductor Little Mozarts
Member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
Musical training has been in Maria Camila's life since childhood. She graduated with a Masters Degree from the School of Science and Arts at the University of Southern Mississippi, with an emphasis in Orchestral Conducting as well as a Bachelors Degree from the School of Arts and Letters at the University of Southern Mississippi, with an emphasis in Music Performance in Viola.
Ms. Patino has had the opportunity to collaborate with well-known artists such as The Beach Boys, Transiberian Orchestra, Deborah Voight, Rene Fleming, Oh Jeremiah, and Ilmar Gavilan, among others. She was principal viola on several occasions during her time as a member of the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra. Currently, she plays with the Mississippi Symphony, Gulfcoast Symphony, and Meridian Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Patino also is co-founder of the Ruah String Trio; and the founder of the Global Aqua Music program at Global Adaptive Aquatics in Atlanta, GA, designed to assist children with disabilities.
Born in Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia, Ms. Patino enjoys passing her love of music that began in her hometown at the age of 4 years old, on to the next generation, with her over 12 years of teaching experience. In 2016, she founded the strings program at Hinds County School District, and since then, she has taken on the roles of operations manager and strings teacher for the outreach programs of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra in public schools. In addition to these roles, she runs her very own private violin studio, conducts the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra, and serves as the director of operations and programming for the Premier Orchestral Institute. Ms. Patino's dedication to music education extends beyond her local community, as she also previously held the position of Festival and Operations Coordinator for the esteemed Heifetz International Summer Music Institute in Staunton, VA.
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.
Andrew Dillon
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.
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.
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.