Sally Martinez (Ethiopia) with Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra

Sally Martinez

Meet Sally Martinez (Ethiopia), Oberlin-trained longtime MYSO Concertmaster and Yosemite National Park’s  Volunteer Program Manager .

Sally Martinez was introduced to the violin at age 3 and began taking lessons in her home state of Massachusetts. She grew up performing with the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras before attending Oberlin College in Ohio.

At Oberlin, Sally pursued a degree in Environmental Studies, but continued to participate in music lessons and performances with students and faculty at the Conservatory of Music.

In her adult life, she has had the opportunity to perform with many community and professional orchestras, in concert halls across the world, from Davis’ Mondavi Center to New York’s Carnegie Hall to Prague’s Rudolfinum.

Sally has spent most of her career in civil service. She has a Master’s degree in Public Administration (University of Montana,) and about 15 years with the federal government. Prior to her current managerial position in Yosemite, she served as a Park Ranger in Montana’s Glacier National Park, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer for 3 years in Bonga, Ethiopia.

Sally lives in El Portal with her husband Alex and two one-eyed cats.