This summer, our seasonal My Top 5 series highlights talented local creatives, performers, and culture shapers, asking them to share their favorite things to do in Houston—when they’re not fast on the keys contributing our city’s evolving soundtrack.
This week, we’re quite excited to present Venezuelan-born and internationally acclaimed classical pianist Gabriela Martinez, who calls Houston home. The classical music superstar is the fifth generation in a line of female pianists and earned her both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at The Juilliard School in New York City before settling down in Houston a few years back.
And you can see Martinez perform live, when she makes her Texas Music Festival debut on Thursday, June 26, 2025 with a stunning and unexpected concert featuring Beethoven and Villa-Lobos alongside works by two young American women composers.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Gabriela Martinez
Crescendo With Music – CWM Founder Alicia Gaggioni was my first piano teacher. She taught me from age 5 until I went to study at Juilliard. She recently moved to Houston from Caracas to open the Houston location of CWM. She has a very interactive approach to teaching, and truly inspires her students in their musical journey.
Tennis – I started playing tennis after the pandemic, and I am obsessed! I play almost every day, and travel all over the city to play matches with friends… but my favorite place to play is Ad In Tennis. I love the community, amazing pros, and that it’s indoors (goodbye #heat). To counterbalance all the tennis, you’ll find me at StretchLab in Bellaire and Hot Yoga Houston on South Boulevard.
Rothko Chapel – I love and am always inspired when I walk into the Rothko Chapel on the Menil Campus. It’s an art installation with a transcendent vibe. The chapel is an octagonal, windowless structure with a skylight, and the walls are lined with dark-hued murals by Mark Rothko. There’s magic in the stillness of the room, the light, and beauty of the art. I feel a deep sense of peace every time I’m there.
Vibrant – I like grabbing a coffee at Vibrant inside Memorial Park and going for a walk at the park’s Eastern Glades or the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. I love how the Arboretum supports native plants and species, and my kids love the playground!
Houston Symphony – The Houston Symphony is one of the best orchestras in the country. Their programming is really special and varied—there is a concert for everyone! I’ve had the opportunity of playing with them a few times, and always think fondly of the amazing music we’ve made together!
About Gabriela Martinez
A fifth generation female pianist, Gabriela Martinez has performed with over 100 orchestras around the world, including the San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, San Diego, New Jersey, Pacific and Fort Worth symphonies; Germany’s Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra, Nurnberger Philharmoniker; the Costa Rica National Symphony, and more. Known today for the lyricism of her playing, her compelling interpretations, and her elegant stage presence, the Venezuelan-born Martinez moved to New York City at young age to pursue her music studies—ultimately earning both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at The Juilliard School on a full scholarship. Now a Houston resident of several years, her debut album Amplified Soul, has been recognized with a Grammy for Producer of the Year.
See Martinez perform live at Dudley Hall inside UH’s Moores School of Music on Thursday, June 26, 2025, as one of the signature performances in the 35th annual Texas Music Festival—or catch the clip below.
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