Ramon Cardenas

Ramon Cardenas is a PhD candidate in Music Education: Choral Conducting at Florida State University. He is currently the graduate assistant for the undergraduate conducting course, Choral Union, and Collegians. On top of his work as a conductor, Ramon also serves as a piano accompanist for several choral ensembles. He also is passionate about research, and his dissertation will be a narrative case study on the experiences of BIPOC choral music faculty in primarily White institutions. Other research interests include: trauma informed pedagogy, BIPOC experiences in music education, cultivating a healthy learning environment in rehearsal and classroom spaces, feedback delivery, and marrying fitness with music education. Prior to his studies, Ramon taught high school choir in California for six years. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and an Master of Arts in Teaching from Biola University, and an Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Fullerton. Outside of his school duties, Ramon serves as the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Quincy, Florida. Ramon also recently became a certified personal trainer and is passionate about helping music educators with their fitness journeys. When he is not at school, Ramon is probably walking his two corgis, at the gym, writing his dissertation, or at Trader Joe’s.