Biography
Jorge Martinez-Rios is Associate Professor at New Mexico State University, conductor of the NMSU Philharmonic, and principal violist of the Las Cruces Symphony. He studied viola at the Conservatorio de las Rosas where he graduated with honors under the tutelage of professor Gela Dubrova. In August 2001, he was awarded a fellowship by the Department of Public Education of Mexico to study abroad. In 2003, he completed his Master of Music degree in Viola Performance at Western Michigan University. In 2007, he completed another Master’s in Chamber Music at Kent State University under the guidance of the Miami String Quartet.
While at WMU, Mr. Martinez was awarded one of the university’s most prestigious awards, namely, the All University Graduate Research and Creative Scholar Award. It was the first time in the history of the university that the Graduate College bestowed such recognition upon the School of Music.
Mr. Martinez specializes in chamber music and he is the violist and founding member of the La Catrina Quartet, which has been hailed by Yo-Yo Ma as "wonderful ambassadors for music." He has performed and Germany, United Kingdom, Mexico and all of the United States.
Recent appearances include, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall and Smphony Space, NY; Meany Hall World-Series, Seattle WA; Chicago Center for the Arts, IL; UCLA Concert Series, L.A. CA; Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City; San Miguel de Allende Music Festival, San Miguel, Mexico; Festival Internacional Cervantino, Guanajuato, Mexico; just t mention but a few.
Mr. Martinez has appeared as soloist and principal violist for several orchestras in Mexico and the US including Orquesta Filarmónica de México, Camerata de Coahuila, Orquesta de Camara de Morelia, Orquesta Sinfónica de Mineria, Western Piedmont Symphony and Las Cruces Symphony.
In 2012 he was a feature artist on the Latin Grammy Winner recording of the Seresta for Double Quartet by Brazilian composer Francisco Mignone with the Cuarteto Latinoamericano under Sono Luminus Label. Last year, he was nominated for another Latin Grammy for his recording of String Quartet No. 2 by Cuban composer Yalil Guerra.
Recently, Mr. Martinez-Rios was invited by the National Endowment for the Arts in Mexico to record the String Trio and the Sonata for Viola and Piano by Jose P. Moncayo. Thanks to this recording he was named by former President of Mexico Felipe Calderon "One of the most important young Artists today."
