João Martins is a Portuguese conductor based in Zurich.

He studied Choir Conducting and Music Theory in Lisbon, Kecskemét and Zurich.

João is the winner of the 2nd Swiss Choral Conducting Prize (2026), organised by the Basler Madrigalisten. In the autumn term of 2025, João taught a conducting course as an invited lecturer at the Universidade do Minho in Braga, Portugal.

His work as a singer and conductor has brought him into contact with many renowned conductors, such as Daniel Reuss, Justin Doyle, Paavo Järvi, Florian Helgath, Markus Utz and Rudolf Lutz. He also had the opportunity to assist Florian Helgath and the Zurich Singakademie, where he gained valuable insights into conducting.

João is the founder and artistic director of the Serenitas Ensemble, a young professional vocal ensemble based in Zurich.