ISAAC ENCINAS

CELLO COACH

Of Peruvian and Cuban heritage, Isaac Encinas was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 2004. Coming from a musical family, he began studying the cello at the age of three. He first studied under his mother, Taylis Fernandez, a Cuban cellist, and later studied under the tutelage of Zlatomir Fung beginning in 2020.

Isaac has performed as a soloist with the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Premier Orchestral Institute. In 2021, he attended the Sphinx Performance Academy, where he studied with renowned cellist Karlos Rodriguez. He also participated in the Curtis Mentor Network Audition Program, where he was mentored by Curtis Institute of Music alumna Natalie Helm.

Isaac comes from a family of eight, including five sisters, four of whom are also musicians. In addition to his musical pursuits, he recently graduated from Mississippi College with a degree in Biology (Medical Sciences) and a minor in Biochemistry. He remains passionate about both music and science and continues to pursue excellence in performance, education, and service.