Musical Director
Hector Martinez
A native of the Philippines, Hector Martinez began studying the piano at the age of five.
At ten he entered the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music Extension Program,
where he studied with the late great Philippine pedagogue, Asunciun Laureola.
Under her guidance, he was awarded the University’s Rosario Lopez-Garcia Scholarship,
and won prizes at the Philippine National Music Competition for Young Artists as well as
Third Prize in the 1993 Philippine National Chopin Piano Competition. He continued his
studies in New York at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned his Bachelor’s and
Master’s Degrees in Piano Performance with an undergraduate Composition Minor, working
with Solomon Mikowsky and Donn-Alexandre Feder, Mr. Martinez, has participated in the
master classes of Cecilio Tieles, Jesus Rodriguez, Ramzi Yassa, Benjamin Rawitz and
Reynaldo Reyes. His performances have brought him to Spain, France, Wales, Austria,
the Czech Republic, and Manila where he performed with The Philippine Youth Orchestra
and the Manila Chamber of Orchestra. As a Winner of Artists International’s Young
Artists Auditions, Hector Martinez was presented in his New York recital debut at
Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall on November 12, 2006, receiving highest acclaim.
For his outstanding performance New York Concert Review said “This period of Liszt’s
is among his most difficult to interpret, especially when one is aiming to achieve a
‘spiritual’ outcome. Mr. Martinez did a fine job of entering into Liszt more
contemplative world. Played in the right vein, it was never bombastic.”
Currently Hector Martinez is the Music Director of the Filipino Arts and Music Ensemble,
a mandolin ensemble of Filipino musicians. He is also the Choir Director of The Shrine
Church of Saint Ann in the Bronx, whose Festival Choir, an ensemble of 50 singers,
bring a quality choral music annually to the Northwest Bronx. Mr. Martinez, currently
studies with the noted pianist and teacher, Francisco Aybar, and has been exploring new repertoire.