Born in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, Jorge Martinez-Rios 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.
While at WMU, Mr. Martinez-Rios became a member of the Phi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society. In addition to this, he was awarded, along with his colleagues of the La Catrina, 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 an ensemble of the School of Music.
Mr. Martinez-Rios has taken masterclasses with such prominent players as Michael Kugel, Robert Vernon and Anita Pontrimoli. As a chamber musician, he has participated in master classes with the Tokyo and Miami String Quartets, the Triple Helix trio, William Preucil, Stephen Rose and Robert Vernon.
Mr. Martinez-Rios was a faculty member of the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Mexico, as well as instructor of violin and viola at Crescendo Academy of Music in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
As an orchestral musician, he was assistant principal of both the Camerata de Coahuila and the Orquesta de Camara de Morelia. Most recently, Mr. Rios-Martinez received an offer to become principal viola of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria, one of the most prestigious orchestras in Mexico.
Mr. Martinez-Rios has appeared as soloist with several orchestras in Mexico and in December 2004, he gave a recital and a masterclass in London.
Mr. Martinez-Rios is a founding member of the La Catrina String Quartet. He holds a Master degree in viola performance from Western Michigan Universty, as well as a master degree in vocal performance and chamber music from Kent State University.