Elvia Marta is a native of Panama and was inspired to start dancing by her first dance teacher and mentor, Yvonne McClung at age 19. She has had the privilege to perform with many artists, musicians, and dance companies including Mongo Santamaria, Roberta Flack, and the San Francisco Opera Ballet. Elvia’s Jazz dance classes have inspired many students, teens and adults alike, by displaying commitment, dedication, passion and hard work. She embraces and respects her students as individuals, and shares her love, emotional and spiritual self with them. She encourages her students to develop their personal gifts and find their own voice.

In 1982 Elvia was tapped to become a teaching artist in the Dance Department at the newly formed public high school of the arts in San Francisco. After a few years, she stepped into the role as Director. Elvia inspired young dancers in the San Francisco Unified School District for 34 years and was a recipient of an "Izzie” (Isadora Duncan) award for lifetime achievement in 2001. Many of her students have gone on to professional companies right out of high school, or continued their studies at The Juilliard School and other arts institutions.

After her retirement from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in 2016, Elvia and her partner founded The Elvia Marta and Bayan Jamay Fund, an endowed fund that awards the Elvia Marta Dance Scholarship to support students in pursuit of education in dance. The fund also provides permanent support for urgent needs in the LGBT community, including services for seniors and mental health services. 

Today Elvia continues to teach and enjoys taking classes at the ODC.