Robert Cardon-Wake

Dr. Robert Cardon-Wake is a trombonist and music educator originally from Henderson, Tennessee. He is a recent graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he served as Associate Instructor of Trombone. In that role, he taught tenor trombone, bass trombone, jazz trombone, and euphonium lessons. He also served as Assistant Director of the IU Trombone Choir, which was named runner-up in the 2026 International Trombone Association's Emory Remington Competition.

An avid performer of new music, Robert has premiered more than 30 works for trombone, including premieres at Yonsei University, Kookmin University, and Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) in Seoul, South Korea. As a chamber musician, he was a member of the Colorado Trombone Quartet, which won the Lamont Chamber Competition and appeared as a featured ensemble at the 2022 and 2023 Big 12 Trombone Conferences. He was also a member of the West End Brass Quintet, which was sponsored by Vanderbilt University for a two-week tour of Berlin and collaborations with the Berlin Philharmonic Brass Quintet. Additionally, he has appeared with Orchestra Indiana, the Parker Symphony Orchestra, and the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra.

Passionate about all facets of music education, Robert tutors students with learning differences and disabilities through the University of Denver's Learning Effectiveness Program. In that role, he helps students tackle music theory, music history, jazz improvisation, music technology, and music composition courses. His honors include the Brass Ring Award for Excellence in Performance and Citizenship, the Levy Innovation Award, the Clara Rosen Award, and the Potter Opportunity Award. Robert earned his DM from Indiana University, his MM from the University of Denver, and his BM from Vanderbilt University; he studied under Brittany Lasch, Richard Harris, and Jeremy Wilson.