Founder and Conductor of the New Jersey Guitar Orchestra  

Guitarist and educator Mr. Jayson Martínez is recognized as the first guitar major in the history of the prestigious Arts High School in Newark, NJ, the nation’s first high school of the visual and performing arts. Now, as Director of Guitar Studies at his Alma Mater, Mr. Martínez has garnered several awards, including the 2018 Teacher of the Year Award and a nominee for the GRAMMY Music Educator’s Award. His students have also won several awards, and have been featured in a multitude of venues across the country. These include performing for the United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in Washington DC, NAfME All-National Festivals, and opening for the Grammy Award duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Jayson attended New Jersey City University, where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Ana María Rosado, and earned degrees in Music Education (B.A.), Music Performance (M.Mus.), and Educational Supervision and Administration (M.EdLd.). He was a featured soloist who performed for many renowned classical guitarists, including Jason Vieaux, Ben Verdery, Roland Dyens, and William Kanengiser. As a doctoral candidate at Liberty University, he is conducting extensive research projects in the music education field.

Mr. Martínez serves as the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) Chairman for Guitar Education, Director of the NJMEA Honors Guitar Ensemble, and National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Representative for the Council of Guitar Education. He is also an adjunct Professor of Guitar Studies at Kean University.

An established classical guitarist, Mr. Martínez served as the concertmaster for the renowned New York City Classical Guitar Orchestra, whom performed at Carnegie Hall in 2019 as part of the Aaron Shearer Centennial Celebration. In addition, he is featured in podcasts for Bill Swick’s “Guitarists in the Classroom” series and for TopMusic.co.

In 2021, Mr. Martinez founded the New Jersey Guitar Orchestra, where he also serves as conductor. In 2022, the NJGO was featured in NYC Merkin Hall, performing with the United States Guitar Orchestra.

Staying true to his roots, he is also the owner of Tremolo Music Studio LLC in Clifton, NJ, where he provides music education to aspiring musicians of all ages.