Throughout an international career spanning more than two decades, Gabriela Martina has established herself as a versatile vocalist, composer, educator, and recording artist, performing across Europe and the United States in jazz, contemporary music, world music, and interdisciplinary artistic projects. Gabriela grew up yodeling with her family and had performances as early as the age of 4. Being raised on a beautiful farm in the heart of Switzerland surrounded by a musical family has influenced her musical path strongly. Her work combines artistic excellence with a strong commitment to education, cultural exchange, and humanitarian initiatives.
Her artistic achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors. In 2023, she received the Chamber Music America Performance Plus Award in New York, supporting the development and presentation of new artistic work. She was honored with the Arts & Culture Award from the Arts and Culture Commission of Horw, Lucerne, Switzerland (2020), and in the same year received the Diplôme de Médaille de Vermeil from the Société Académique Arts–Sciences–Lettres in Paris, France, recognizing her contributions to the arts. She was also awarded a LAB Grant by the Boston Foundation in 2019 to support innovative artistic projects.
As an active member of the international music community, she has been a GRAMMY Voting Member since 2014 and is affiliated with SUISA, Sonart and Swissperform professional artists' association. Earlier distinctions include being a semi-finalist in the 7th Shure Voice Competition at the 43rd Montreux Jazz Festival (2009) and a finalist in the ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards (2012) for her original composition Ain't Nobody. In 2016, the nonprofit organization Sonic Relief, for which she helped organize a humanitarian fundraising concert benefiting Syrian refugees featuring Simon Shaheen and the Lee Swensen Katz Trio, received the Berklee Urban Service Award for using music to support communities in need.
Her performances have ranged from prestigious concert halls and festivals to significant ceremonial events. She performed the German National Anthem at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island (2018), and the United States National Anthem at the Massachusetts State House Hall of Flags in Boston (2017). Reflecting her appreciation for Swiss musical heritage, she also participated in the Swiss Yodel Competition in Horw, near Lucerne, in 2019.
As a performer, she has collaborated and recorded with internationally acclaimed artists including Angélique Kidjo, Jack DeJohnette, J.R. Robinson, Patrice Rushen, Meshell Ndegeocello, Alfredo Cardim, and Steve Bailey. Since 2000, she has maintained an active career as a professional performer and session vocalist in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, The Netherlands and Finland appearing in concerts, recordings, festivals, and interdisciplinary productions.
In early 2026, Gabriela Martina founded Voices Connect – Vocal Lab, a workshop series developed as part of her postgraduate studies in vocal pedagogy at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU). Now based in Helsinki, the project creates inclusive spaces for singers to develop artistic expression, vocal technique, creativity, and community through collaborative learning.
In spring 2026, she recorded a new album with Swiss music legends Bruno Spoerri, Christy Doran, and Reto Weber, scheduled for release alongside an international tour in 2027. She also formed a duo with guitarist Christy Doran, reimagining the music of Jimi Hendrix through jazz, improvisation, and contemporary music.
Gabriela further expanded her interdisciplinary work by contributing to the German translation of Son of the Winter, a Finnish children's orchestral production by composer Pauliina Lerche, which is currently being prepared for touring performances in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Gabriela has a bachelor's degree from Berklee College of Music and a master's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Donna McElroy, Jason Moran, Cecil McBee, Miguel Zenon, Frank Carlberg, Dominique Eade, Ken Schaphorst, Jerry Bergonzi among many others.
Alongside her performance career, Gabriela Martina has remained deeply committed to artistic innovation, education, and community engagement, building a body of work that bridges cultures and musical traditions while inspiring audiences through performance, composition, teaching, and collaborative artistic leadership.
