I’m thrilled to introduce a very special guest and longtime friend of our show, Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, a brilliant artist whose contributions to the Bay Area’s music scene over the past 20 years have been nothing short of transformative. Martha is a true Renaissance woman—an acclaimed singer, flutist, conductor, and producer who has brought Latin American folk, classical, and contemporary music to new audiences. Her dedication to her craft and her culture has earned several recognitions, including being named a “Luminary” by the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco and “Excelencia Latina” by LAM and Mundo Fox.




For those who have followed her career, Martha is not just an extraordinary musician but also a powerful advocate for community engagement. She serves as Director of several Neighborhood Choirs for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities, and leads the Coro de Cámara and Mariachi CMC. Her passion for inclusivity through music has transformed how people from diverse backgrounds connect with the arts.



Today, we’re especially excited to talk about her long-standing work with the San Francisco Symphony, where she curates the annual Día de los Muertos event—a vibrant celebration that brings together art, music, and culture to honor one of the most cherished traditions in Latin America.




Each year, Martha curates this magnificent event at Davies Symphony Hall, and it’s much more than a concert—it’s an immersive cultural experience. The Día de los Muertos celebration at the Symphony brings to life the essence of this ancient holiday, a time when we honor those who have passed while celebrating life in all its vibrancy. Martha’s ability to weave together the traditional with the contemporary has made this event a must-see for both music lovers and those wanting to connect with the rich cultural heritage of Latin America.






This year’s event, in particular, holds a special focus: Catrinas—those iconic skeletal figures dressed in elegant, ornate gowns that have become a symbol of Día de los Muertos. But there’s much more to these figures than meets the eye. Martha has curated a dynamic concert and event program that explores the historical and cultural significance of Catrinas, and their relationship with three iconic figures in Mexican art and culture—Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and José Guadalupe Posada.



Posada, the famous illustrator and engraver, first created the Catrina figure as a satirical commentary on the social and political conditions of his time. His work, often featuring skeletons in everyday situations, was meant to remind people that in death, we are all equal. This theme resonated deeply with the Mexican Revolution, and the Catrina figure soon became a powerful symbol of the holiday, representing the blending of indigenous and European influences that shaped modern Mexico. The ties between Posada’s Catrinas and the art of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo are profound—both Rivera and Kahlo incorporated themes of death and the afterlife into their work, exploring the intersection of life, death, and identity in ways that have become iconic. So, the visual art installation will draw on the connection between these three artists and their work. Then, the installation celebrates Catrinas not only as a symbol of Día de los Muertos but as a reflection of Mexican culture, art, and history.