A Latin Grammy Award winning artists and nominated for two other Latin Grammys, Jorge Martinez-Rios studied viola and piano at the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia, Mexico where he graduated with honors under the tutelage of professor Gela Dubrova. In 2003, he completed his Master of Music degree in Viola Performance at Western Michigan University. In 2007, he completed another Master of Music Degree in Chamber Music and studied conducting under the instruction of Dr. Frank Wiley.

Maestro Jorge Martinez-Rios has conducted the Contemporary Music Ensemble in Morelia Mexico, Camerata de Coahuila, Orquesta del Estado de Durango, New Horizons Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica de Michoacán, and Paso del Norte Chamber Orchestra.

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 in Germany, United Kingdom, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Aruba, El Salvador, and all of the United States. Recent appearances include, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall and Symphony Space, NY; Meany Hall World-Series, Seattle WA; Chicago Center for the Arts, IL; UCLA Concert Series, CA; Festival Internacional Chihuahua, Mexico; Palacio de Bellas Artes and National Center for the Arts, Mexico City; San Miguel de Allende Music Festival and Festival Internacional Cervantino, Guanajuato Mexico; just to mention but a few.

Recently, Mr. Martinez-Rios was invited by the National Endowment for the Arts in Mexico to be part of a historical recording compilation where he recorded the String Trio and the Sonata for Viola and Piano by Jose P. Moncayo.

Currently, he is Associate Professor in the New Mexico State University Department of Music, artistic director the New Mexico State Philharmonic Orchestra & NHS, and maintains a busy performing, conducting and recording agenda for the coming seasons.