ABOUT
conductor | pianist | composer
A true bibliophile and voracious learner, Colton Martin is a musical product of both rigorous academic study, small-rural-American work ethic, and love for serving others. Most any day can find him sharing his passion for music with the students of his piano studio, or in friendly conversation over coffee and gelato, or nose-deep in a fresh new book. For leisure, Martin relishes spending time in nature, especially in wooded mountainous areas or near water. He also enjoys working-out at the local CrossFit box and, during the summer, scuba diving.
Martin holds degrees in Music, Theology, and Philosophy from Benedictine College (B.A., 2015) and in Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College (M.M., 2017). He currently serves as the Director of Sacred Music for the Roman Catholic parish of St. Dominic (Brick, NJ), running a thriving music program with multiple choirs and a professional Schola Cantorum. He also continues to sing with The LOTUS Project under the direction of Alicia Brozovich, and with The Same Stream Choir under the direction of Dr. James Jordan.
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While studying in Princeton, Martin sang with the GRAMMY(™)-nominated Westminster Williamson Voices under the direction of Dr. James Jordan, spending a year as the graduate assistant conductor and accompanist for the ensemble. He also sang in the early music ensemble Kantorei with Dr. Amanda Quist, performing concerts with Juilliard 415, as well as participating in the world-renowned Boston Early Music Festival (2017). Martin’s involvement with the Westminster Symphonic Choir included performances with major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Berliner-Philharmoniker, and the New Jersey Symphonic Orchestra (major conductors including Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Alan Gilbert, Sir Simon Rattle, Jane Glover, and Charles Dutoit). Special collaborations also include rehearsal-lectures with Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, and Nigel Short. In two years, Martin was involved in the production of five separate recording projects for esteemed labels such as Naxos, GIA, and the Westminster Label.
Martin pursued private piano lessons for seventeen years under the tutelage of Pam Sikora, Glenda von Behren, Thomas Ediger, Ruth Krusemark, and Jim Goldsworthy. He also pursued organ studies concurrently. Major conducting professors include Sean Teets, Joe Miller, James Jordan, Tom Shelton, and Steve Pilkington.
Martin has an extensive background in liturgical music, including nearly fifteen years of music service to both Catholic and Protestant churches in Nebraska, Kansas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Through his involvement in Benedictine College Music Ministry (BCMM), he served as Team Coordinator and directed multiple choirs, performing concerts and providing music for liturgies across the Midwest and Italy.
Martin's strong foundation in a Catholic liberal arts education, as well as community involvement in service organizations (Eagle Scout, 2007), inform his passion for teaching and life-long learning. In his private studio, Martin’s goal is to engage in compositional conversations with the authors of music, to study history and humanity through the arts, and to enkindle spiritual and intellectual growth with each student. There is little more rewarding in teaching than to explore learning with another artist, only to learn and grow oneself.
Colton currently lives in Trenton, NJ, with his beautiful wife and accomplished musical colleague, Alicia Brozovich, and their two sons Oliver and Aiden.