Martene received her music education at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music. She is also a graduate of California State University at Fullerton and Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and is ordained by the Evangelical Church Alliance.
Martene served over 25 years as Minister of Music in three churches (small, medium-sized, and large), developing extensive graded choral and instrumental programs in each. Having established a School of Fine Arts in a church setting,
Martene served for two years as director of the Creative Arts Academy at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California.
She went on to found and administrate ARISE Academy of the Arts, a training ground for the discovery and development of the expressive gifts in children, youth, and adults. For 11 years, she taught and directed music for ARISE theatre performance troupes––ranging in age from preschool through college. Martene was also the producer and musical director for the ARISE Performing Arts Theatre. For several years, ARISE performance groups, under her direction, have been featured at Americafest, Pasadena Rosebowl’s Fourth of July fireworks show.
Martene is also well known as the creator and director of the’Round-the-Table Carol Sings. Starting with 200 participants and an audience of 1200, this musical extravaganza grew to involve 1200 participants with annual audiences of 14,000 people.
Under her leadership, musical groups have performed on radio and television and have toured extensively as musical missionaries and ambassadors of goodwill throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Martene Craig is a popular clinician, choral and instrumental director, and consultant to churches and organizations interested in ministering through the arts. She is a columnist for music publications, and has vast experience as a guest director, and music festival adjudicator. She regularly participates in the Christian Artists Music Seminar in the Rockies in Colorado and MUSICalifornia in San Diego, California. in 2005 Martene was awarded the prestigious Ray Award.
Throughout her ministry, Martene’s dedication and vision have been the inspirational force behind many youth and adults who are now actively involved in the arts. Indeed, Martene Craig has left indelible impressions on people around the world.