Ava Cardner

Ava Cardner is a band director and trumpet player in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of New Mexico and graduated summa cum laude. While at UNM, Ava received the Spirit of New Mexico award from the Spirit Marching Band and was named the Presser Scholar from the Department of Music, along with other honors. She was also a proud brother of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and served as the secretary/treasurer of her chapter. Ava was recognized by the National Council as an AEA Distinguished Scholar.

Ava’s drum corps journey began with The Cadets in 2021, where she marched until the corps’ conclusion. After their closure, she performed with Carolina Crown, and for her age-out season, she joined the Boston Crusaders. While with the Boston Crusaders, the corps earned their first-ever DCI World Class Championship and the Jim Ott Best Brass Performance Award. During her season with the Boston Crusaders, Ava received two individual honors: Outstanding Performer (visual) and Excellence in Brass.