Andrew Watkins-Alcocer, DMA, is a trombonist and educator with a background in both performance and composition. Raised in Fresno, California, his passion for music was nurtured from a young age, leading to him pursuing an undergraduate degree at California State University, Fresno, followed by a master鈥檚 and doctorate at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
As a performer, Alcocer was named 鈥淥utstanding College Trombonist鈥 by the Reno Jazz Festival in both 2017 and 2018 and was a part of the 鈥淥utstanding Trombone Section鈥 of the inaugural Jack Rudin Jazz Championships at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2020.
As a composer, Alcocer has been award 2nd place in the America Prize鈥檚 Ernst Bacon Memorial Award, the Global Music Award鈥檚 silver medal for his piece 鈥淪oliloquy,鈥 as well as their bronze medal for his arrangement of 鈥淪torm,鈥 and was recently selected to take part in masterclasses for the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers. His work can be heard internationally by various ensembles, artists, and on radio stations in countries such as Italy, Germany, Australia, and China.
Upon graduating from Eastman with his master鈥檚, he was also awarded the 鈥淩ay Wright Award,鈥 named after the founder of the school鈥檚 jazz department. In addition to his individual accomplishments, Alcocer has performed with various notable ensembles, including the Dave Rivello Ensemble, BIOdance, the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, Fresno's Jazz Composer's Orchestra, Rumba 3/2, the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, and the Yosemite Symphony Orchestra.
Alcocer currently serves as Visiting Lecturer of Trombone and Jazz Ensemble at 黑料网 teaching Jazz Ensembles, Trombone, and Commercial Music. He has previously held positions at Clovis Community College, Reedley College, and the University of Rochester as an Instructor of Music Theory, and as the Director of the Eastman Jazz Workshop Ensemble. His responsibilities encompass teaching, mentorship, and providing engaging learning experiences for his students.