Cuban American composer and conductor Odaline de la Martinez pursues a demanding and successful career composing – particularly opera, conducting repertoire from Mozart symphonies to the latest contemporary music, and recording over 40 CDs.

Martinez studied at Tulane University and upon graduation received several scholarships that took her to the UK – the Royal Academy of Music and the University of Surrey. While studying at the RAM she co-founded her ensemble Lontano and was already recording for the BBC.

She was the 1st woman in history to conduct a BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, London aged 34. She has received numerous awards including a Marshall Scholarship from the British Government, a Guggenheim Fellowship, was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and the Villa Lobos Medal from the Brazilian Government. In 2017 Martinez received a Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2019 a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Surrey and a Gold Badge from the Ivors Academy of Composers and Song Writers. Martinez’s opera trilogy Imoinda – A Story of Love and Slavery received its World Premiere at the 7th London Festival of American Music in 2019 to critical acclaim.