Joel Cardoso

Joel Cardoso is a Portuguese clarinettist and soloist at United Soloists Orchestra, distinguished by his wins at the Carlino Clarinet International Competition.

He holds three Master’s degrees completed in Switzerland, culminating in a Master’s in Solo Performance at Hochschule Luzern. His principal teachers have included François Benda, Jordi Pons, Paolo Beltramini, and Robert Pickup, with an Erasmus period at Hochschule für Musik Trossingen with Chen Halevi. His training also included international academies and masterclasses with Pascal Moraguès and Charles Neidich.

As a performer, Cardoso is Section Leader of the Swiss Symphonic Wind Orchestra, a member of the City Light Orchestra at KKL Luzern, and serves on the Artistic Board of Melody Factory. He regularly collaborates with leading ensembles including the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra della Svizzera italiana, Argovia Philharmonic, and Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg, and has appeared with the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra. His festival work includes selected appearances at Zermatt Music Festival & Academy, where he collaborated with musicians of the Berlin Philharmonic.

Within USO’s crossover profile, Cardoso brings a clinician-educator’s perspective—teaching at SonArteLab and delivering international masterclasses—paired with a strong international stage presence.