Nolan Cardenas is an American Clarinetist born in Indianapolis, Indiana where he graduated with honors from Lawrence North High School in 2015. During his time in high-school he participated in the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra, All-State Honor Band, Interlochen Clarinet Intensive, and won 8 gold medals at the state level solo and ensemble. Cardenas attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana and graduated with his Bachelors in Clarinet Performance in 2019. While at Butler, Cardenas was able to pursue his passion for private teaching, participate in a wide variety of musical endeavors; such as performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, studying music history in Vienna, Austria, and winning the Jordan College of the Arts Concerto Competition.

For winning the competition, Cardenas performed Weber’s Concertino with the Butler Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Colonel Michael J. Colburn, former Presidents Own Marine Band conductor. Cardenas has performed as principal of the Butler Symphony Orchestra, the Butler Ballet Orchestra, Butler Opera Orchestra, and the Butler Wind Ensemble.

Cardenas recently graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with his Masters in Clarinet Performance and Music Business. While at MSU, Cardenas continued teaching in the local communities, initiated the first ever MSU Virtual Clarinet Ensemble and regularly performed with the Wind Symphony and the MSU Opera orchestra. After graduation, Cardenas now lives in Detroit, Michigan. There he works for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in Artistic Operations and continues to impact his community through meaningful artistic connections and performances.