Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriella Marie Martinez Tovar.
Hi Gabriella Marie Martinez, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with the violin started when I was six years old, completely by chance.
My mom was Christmas shopping at a mall in Miami when she came across a group of young violinists performing holiday music. She stopped in her tracks. Something about seeing those students perform inspired her, and she thought, “I want my twin daughters to do that.”
A few days later, she asked me a question that would ultimately change the course of my life: “Do you want to learn piano or violin?”
Without knowing much about either instrument, I immediately answered, “Violin.”
Soon after, my twin sister Sabrina and I started lessons together. Violin wasn’t really her thing—she made it through about two lessons before deciding it wasn’t for her. But for me, it was love at first sight.
I remember holding the violin for the first time and feeling an instant connection. I was fortunate to have perfect pitch, so even as a beginner I was already figuring out simple melodies by ear. From day one, I couldn’t put the instrument down.
Music was always around me growing up. I come from a musical Cuban-American family, and my aunt is a professional singer-songwriter, so creativity and performance were constantly part of my environment. Being surrounded by music made me realize early on that it wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was something I wanted to dedicate my life to.
As I grew older, what started as childhood lessons became a serious pursuit. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance from Stetson University and later completed my Master’s Degree in Music at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Those years gave me a strong classical foundation and prepared me for the professional world.
Today, I’m fortunate to have a career that allows me to perform across many genres. While I’m classically trained, I’ve always loved being versatile, performing everything from classical and Latin music to pop and country.
One of the most exciting moments of my career came in 2024 when I was invited to join Bad Bunny’s “Most Wanted” Tour as one of the violinists performing with the Philharmonic Orchestra Project. Sharing the stage with an international superstar and performing in sold-out arenas was an unforgettable experience and a reminder of how far that little six-year-old girl with a violin had come.
Throughout my career, I’ve also had the privilege of performing alongside world-renowned artists including Andrea Bocelli, Smokey Robinson, Kygo, Fonseca, Yandel, CNCO, and many others.
In addition to live performances, I work extensively as a session violinist. I’ve recorded violin on projects for artists such as Humbe, Tainy, and Ana Cristina Cash, among many others. I love the recording side of the industry because it allows me to contribute creatively to music that reaches audiences around the world.
In 2023, I took another major step in my career by founding Ella Marie Artists LLC. What began in Miami has now expanded to Dallas as well. Through Ella Marie Artists, I connect world-class musicians with weddings, corporate events, luxury events, and private performances. Building the company has allowed me not only to pursue my own career as a performer but also to create opportunities for other talented musicians.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think that everything started because my mom happened to stop and listen to a group of violin students playing Christmas music in a mall. One small moment led to a lifetime of music, and I’m grateful every day that I answered “violin.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges came when I was pursuing my Master’s degree in Music at the University of Miami during the COVID-19 pandemic. My first semester was entirely virtual, which meant taking violin lessons, music classes, and rehearsals online. As musicians, we’re used to collaborating and making music together, so that was a major adjustment. Orchestra wasn’t really possible in a virtual setting, so I missed out on that experience during my first semester. By the second semester, classes became hybrid and orchestra returned in a limited capacity. It’s funny looking back because I formed friendships and musical connections with classmates through Zoom and rehearsals, yet for months I had no idea what many of them actually looked like because we were all wearing masks.
Another major challenge came after graduating from the University of Miami. In August 2023, I moved to Dallas, Texas, to pursue graduate studies in Speech-Language Pathology. Something many people don’t know about me is that I’ve always been passionate about both music and speech therapy, which is why I double-majored in them.
During my second semester of graduate school, I received an opportunity to go on tour with Bad Bunny. At the time, I was on scholarship and didn’t want to lose that support or fall behind academically. Fortunately, his team was incredibly accommodating, which allowed me to do part of the tour while continuing graduate school.
For a period of time, my life looked pretty hectic: providing speech therapy in the mornings, attending classes in the afternoons, and then flying every few days to a different city to meet up with the tour. There were definitely days when I was fighting jet lag and trying to stay awake in class. Balancing graduate school with a national tour alongside one of the biggest artists in the world was a whirlwind, but it taught me a lot about discipline, time management, and commitment to my goals.
It wasn’t always easy, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Those experiences challenged me, helped me grow, and ultimately shaped the musician and professional I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a freelance violinist, which means no two weeks ever look the same. One day I may be performing at a wedding or corporate event, and the next I could be sharing the stage with a Latin artist performing reggaeton or playing alongside an orchestra for a classical opera production. That variety is one of the things I love most about my career—it constantly challenges me to be versatile and adaptable as a musician.
In addition to performing, I’m also an active violin teacher with students in both Miami and Dallas. Teaching allows me to share my passion for music while helping the next generation of musicians develop their skills and confidence.
I’m also the founder and director of Ella Marie Artists, a music agency based in Miami and Dallas that provides live music for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions. Running an agency has allowed me to combine my love of music with entrepreneurship, while creating performance opportunities for other talented musicians.
What I’m most proud of is the diversity of my career. I’ve been able to successfully balance performing, teaching, and business ownership while continuing to pursue opportunities at the highest levels of the industry. Whether I’m performing with internationally recognized artists, leading my own agency, or working one-on-one with students, I approach each role with the same level of professionalism and passion.
I think what sets me apart is my versatility. I’m comfortable performing across a wide range of genres—from classical and opera to pop and Latin music—and I genuinely enjoy connecting with different audiences through each of those styles. Beyond that, I bring a unique perspective as both a performer and entrepreneur, allowing me to understand the industry from multiple angles and create meaningful musical experiences both on and off the stage.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success is the result of sacrifice, hard work, motivation, and perseverance. It’s rarely a straight path. More often than not, success comes with setbacks, challenges, and periods of waiting before opportunities finally arrive. Determination and patience are just as important as talent.
That being said, I think success looks different for everyone. My personal definition of success isn’t tied to fame, titles, or accomplishments. To me, success is discovering your calling and being given the opportunity to pursue what you love every day. Not everyone has the chance to turn their passion into their profession, so I never take that for granted.
As a musician, I feel incredibly fortunate to wake up each day and do what I love. Whether I’m performing, teaching, or running my music agency, I find fulfillment in knowing that I’ve built a career around my passion. For me, that’s what success truly means.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Gabriellamarietovar & @ellamarieartists
