Stephanie Martin is a Canadian composer, conductor, and educator who has made significant contributions to the classical music world. Born in 1962 in Toronto, Martin grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. She later studied music at the University of Toronto, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. After completing her undergraduate studies, Martin pursued further education in music composition and conducting. She earned a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Toronto, where she studied with renowned composer John Beckwith. She also studied conducting with Raffi Armenian and David Briskin, among others. Throughout her career, Martin has been recognized for her exceptional talent and dedication to classical music. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award in Music in 2010. This award is given annually to Canadian artists who have demonstrated outstanding artistic achievement in their field. Martin has also been recognized for her work as a conductor. In 2007, she was awarded the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting by the Ontario Arts Council. This award is given to conductors who have demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership in the field of choral music. In addition to her work as a composer and conductor, Martin is also an accomplished educator. She has taught at several institutions, including the University of Toronto, the Royal Conservatory of Music, and the University of Western Ontario. She has also served as the artistic director of several choral organizations, including the Pax Christi Chorale and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. One of Martin's most notable achievements as a composer is her work on the oratorio "Sanctuary Road." This piece, which was commissioned by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and premiered in 2018, tells the story of the Underground Railroad and the struggle for freedom by enslaved people in the United States. The piece features a libretto by R.H. Thomson and incorporates spirituals and other traditional music of the era. "Sanctuary Road" was widely praised for its powerful message and moving music. The piece was performed by several choirs across Canada and the United States, including the Vancouver Chamber Choir and the American Repertory Singers. It was also recorded by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and released on the Analekta label. In addition to "Sanctuary Road," Martin has composed several other notable works, including "Winter Nights," a song cycle for soprano and piano, and "The Sun, the Wind, and the Rain," a choral work based on a poem by Christina Rossetti. Her music has been performed by numerous ensembles, including the Canadian Opera Company, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Elmer Iseler Singers. As a conductor, Martin has led several notable performances, including the Canadian premiere of John Adams' "El Niño" with the Pax Christi Chorale and the Toronto premiere of Arvo Pärt's "Passio" with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. She has also conducted several world premieres of new works by Canadian composers, including "The Heart's Refuge" by Timothy Corlis and "The Farthest Shore" by James Rolfe. Throughout her career, Martin has been a passionate advocate for the importance of classical music in society.

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