Jose Encarnacion (saxophone, Latin Jazz Performance Workshop, Eastman Youth Saxology) José L. Encarnacion received his Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music. He studied saxophone, flute and clarinet at the Free School of Music in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he graduated magna cum laude. His performing experience includes work with salsa, jazz, and latin music performers as Gilberto Santarosa, Roberto Rohena, Bobby Valentin, Domingo Quinones, Israel Lopez "Cachao", Tito Puente, Danilo Perez, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Batacumbele, Humberto Ramirez, David Sanchez, Bob Mintzer's big band and Dave Rivello's ensemble. His recent performances include appearances with the Temptations, Natalie Cole, Doc Severinsen, Lou Ralls, New York Voices, Brasilia, and Ann Hampton Calloway, all with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Marina Puccicini with the Milwaukee Symphonic Orchestra and Dianne Reeves with the Green Bay Symphonic Orchestra. He worked at the Eastman School of Music as a teaching assistant for Jazz Theory and Improvisation as well as coaching small group performance in the Jazz and Contemporary Media Department. He also taught at Lawrence University in the Jazz and Improvisational Department. In 2002 Jose received the Schirmer Prize in Jazz Performance.