Ernst Schlader, born in Gmunden, studied clarinet, organ, early music, musicology, and knowledge management at the Anton Bruckner Private University and the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, and at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. 

For his dissertation on the composer Georg Pasterwiz (1730–1803), he received the Talent Award for Science from the Province of Upper Austria in 2012. From 2012 to 2017, Ernst Schlader was Honorary Professor for Historical Clarinet Instruments at the State University of Music in Trossingen (Germany). He currently teaches at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, where he completed his habilitation in 2023. 

Ernst Schlader is a member and principal clarinetist of the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and also performs regularly with ensembles such as Collegium 1704 (Prague), Concentus Musicus Wien, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. His work as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer is documented on over 60 recordings.