Ernesto Cruz

Ernesto Cruz, is a native Angelino who graduated from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) with a Bachelor in Music in Clarinet Performance and earned his Master in Fine Arts degree in Clarinet Performance from the California Institute of the Arts. His mentors include Dr. Julia Heinen, William Powell, Vinny Golia, Allen Vogel, and Mark Menzies.

He is an active freelance musician and private instructor teaching in the southern California area. He has taught in the Hart School District and currently has a private studio. Ernesto has performed with the Landmark Opera, Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra and other ensembles in the Los Angeles and Ventura County

Ernesto served as the Director of Bands for Banda Filarmonica Santa Maria Xochixtepec, an L.A. based Oaxacan ensemble focusing on traditional music of Oaxaca. In 2004, Ernesto was featured as a soloist on this ensembles first album. He is now a guest clinician for different ensembles that focus on preserving and learning traditional music from Oaxaca.