​William Olenick is the founder and director of Latin Caravan NYC (2011-2016).

He received his Bachelor of Applied Music, Cum Laude 1976-1979 from Berklee College of Music-Boston Massachusetts, and his Masters in Jazz Performance, 2003-2004 from Queens College of New York-New York City.

While in Boston he studied with World Renowned Brass Instructor John Coffey, who was Principal trombonist of the Boston Symphony. He also studied with Dr. Donald S. Reinhardt, author of “The Encyclopedia of the Pivot System” and Principal trombonist from the Philadelphia Orchestra. While in NYC he studied with Ed Trodel, Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic and Chairman of the Brass Department at the Julliard School of Music.

In 1980 he moved to New York City and started a 35-year career in teaching and performance. He has performed and recorded with Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Jose Alberto, Tito Nieves, Marc Anthony, Stanly Turrentine, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Henny Youngman, Milton Berle, Al Martino, and many others.

William taught for the NYC Board of Education and the Yonkers Board of Education
and retired in 2017 after 35 years of service. He was awarded the 2012 Teacher of
the Year Award from the Yonkers Board of Education.

Currently he is living in Columbia, South Carolina and is director of the Latin Caravan Jazz Quartet (2017-2020), and is co-director of Latin Caravan South (2017-2020), the hottest Latin Jazz and Salsa Band in South Carolina. They perform Latin Jazz, Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and even a little R&B. He is also Adjunt Professor at Benedict College.

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