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Katia Cardenas

A dynamic performer, Katia Cardenas has performed nation-wide, inspiring audiences with her smooth, powerful voice and infectious, uplifting energy. Come see what all the buzz is about...

About Me

Specializing in jazz, soul, and r&b, Katia is a gifted vocalist with a passion for bringing energy and soul to her performance. She brings emotional authenticity to every song, and strives to bring people together through the universal experience of music. Her influences include Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Carole King and Eva Cassidy, to name a few.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Katia grew up in a musical family. Her mother, Janis Kelly, is an accomplished vocalist, who sang with Maurice White and the Emotions, and opened for Rufus & Chaka Khan, Tower of Power and Carole King. Her father, Mark Cardenas, is a professional keyboardist, and a Platinum and Gold recording artist, whose credits include Prince, Morris Day and The Time, Janet Jackson, and The Song Catchers (featuring Charles Neville). From an early age, she was raised on a strict diet of funk, soul, and r&b. She received a Waldorf education, which taught her a deep appreciation for the arts, and a passion for singing. Being so surrounded by music, a musician's life was second nature to her. In junior high, her family moved to Sacramento, California, where she sang in jazz and show choirs, and developed a passion for musical theater.

At 16, she attended the Visual and Performing Arts Charter School, where she became deeply involved in music, theatre, and dance. At 17, she joined her mother's band, The Groove Ambassadors, as a lead and back up vocalist. In addition to gigging regularly clubs throughout Sacramento, The Groove Ambassadors also performed at Gov. Schwarzenegger's Inauguration. She also sang regularly at the Christ Unity Church, as a guest soloist and a member of the house band.

Desiring a change of scenery, Katia moved to the Twin Cities in 2006 to attend Macalester College. She joined The Sirens, an all-female a cappella group on campus, in which she was a featured soloist and arranger. She performed at many on-campus events, and developed a dedicated following, winning first place in the “Macalester Idol,” college-wide singing competition in her senior year. She also sang with “It's a Trap,” a rock and blues quartet featuring guitarist Max Kulicke (of the Twin Cities' acclaimed Carroll), and Late Night Menu, a co-ed a cappella group.

In 2010, Katia graduated and pursued a career as a theatre arts educator. She performed occasionally in duos and as a featured soloist at events across the Twin Cities. She was also regularly invited to sing for special events “back home” in Sacramento, CA, as well as in Boulder, CO, and Seattle, WA. Late Night Menu, which featured award-winning vocal procession is Andrew “Berko” Berkowitz, went on to write, produce and perform 2 original a cappella musicals for the MN Fringe Festival, Including “Zombie High School” (2010) which was named “Best Musical” by FringeFamous.com, and “History Camp.” Katia co-composing, directing and choreographed these shows. She was also the group's featured soloist in their audition for NBC's “The Sing- off.”

In spring 2013, Katia began pursuing her dream of singing professionally. She released a demo (click on ”Music” page, to listen), did recording sessions with with Organica Productions and Essential Sessions Studios, and joined Twin Cities musicians in various music projects. Such projects have included Casablanca Orchestra, touring showband with full costumes and choreography, and the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network (performing member), a cabaret singer's network dedicated to preserving the art of storytelling through song. She has also been recruited to perform with out-of-state groups, including Red Dog Zen (Seattle, WA), and Global Soul Experience (Boulder, CO), and appears regularly at Columbine Unity Church in Boulder, CO. She is currently performing across the Twin Cities, under her own name, with some of this town's finest jazz and r&b instrumentalists.

In 2016, Katia released her debut EP, “I'll Be Seeing You,” performed at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in 2017, and embarked on her first international tour to Central Mexico in Fall 2018. She appear at the 2021 Twin Cities Jazz Festival as well, and continues to perform across the Twin Cities. Her work has been featured on the local jazz radio station, KBEM Jazz88.5FM, including radio features on her original compositions, The Burning Truth Project, and her return to performing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic on his PRX show, “Twin Cities Weekend.” She has also received coverage from St. Paul's Pioneer Press newspaper and Minnesota Public Radio.

Katia Cardenas is currently available for booking clubs, weddings, private events, festivals and special appearances.

To contact Katia via email, click on the “Contact” page on her website, KatiaCardenas.com.