A native of Los Angeles, CA, Ernesto Cruz graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor in Music in Clarinet Performance. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Fine Arts at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA.
 
During his time at CSU Northridge, he was awarded the Ted J. Gould Memorial Scholarship Endowment during his sophomore year. He was principal clarinet in the CSUN Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. John Roscigno. He was also part of CSU Northridge Wind Ensemble, that was contracted to be the ensemble in one of the main concerts during Clarinetfest 2011 and had the privileged  to work with clarinetist's Julian Bliss, Hakan Rosenberg, Alexander Fiterstein, Robert Spring and the Vendome Quartet. Over the years, Ernesto has participated in numerous masterclasses by many renowned clarinetists such as Luigi Magistrelli, Robert Spring, Yehuda Gilad, Andrew Marriner, Peter Wright, Ivan Stolbov, Romain Guyot, Frank Kowalsky to name a few.
 
Ernesto has been actively involved in performing contemporary music. He recently worked with the conductor of Wild Up, Christopher Rountree premiering new works written for the New Century Players at Cal Arts. He is also working with a woodwind quintet playing new music for the ensemble. Ernesto is also in the New Millennium Chamber Orchestra at Cal Arts that focuses on playing modern music.

 

As an educator, Ernesto is  the Clarinet Instructor at Hart High School and West Ranch High School. He is also serving as an Instrumental Coach for The Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra. He has a private studio that is linked with Nick Rails Music Shop and is also giving masterclasses around the Santa Clarita School Area.
 
Ernesto Cruz is  studying with William Powell and has studied with Dr. Julia Heinen.