“As a child I was very fortunate to have my interests in the arts encouraged by those around me. Now as a singer, I want to see the next few generations of singers receive that same encouragement. When I’m not onstage, I love to give back by visiting students in the community, to connect with them regardless of their age, to find out what matters to them—from their existential angst to their curiosities—and to share with them my perspective of the wonder of the theatrical and operatic worlds. They are our future on all levels and we must reach out to them, in their environment, in order to bring them closer to the arts. It’s important that they understand the value that they each possess as an individual, and how important it is to discover their own gifts—that’s their birthright.”

— Ana María Martínez