Meet

Maria Isolina


Maria Isolina's journey began in small coffee shops across the D.C. area, where her voice first captivated audiences long before Sol y Rumba existed. Today, she is a multi-award-winning, critically acclaimed Honduran singer-songwriter whose career has spanned more than three decades.


In 1988, Maria represented Washington D.C. as a finalist in the OTI Festival, the premier international songwriting competition for the Spanish-speaking world, placing 3rd overall in the national final held in Miami, FL. Her original song, "Tiempo de sembrar," marked her as one of the region's standout songwriters. A decade later, she was invited back to the festival, this time as a judge, at its Tegucigalpa, Honduras edition.


In 1998, María released her self-titled debut album, Maria Isolina, featuring 10 original songs blending modern instrumentation with native Latin American sounds. The album was unveiled with a special release event at the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. That same year, she wrote "Somos Hermanos," a benefit song for a Radio America telethon raising relief funds for Central American communities affected by Hurricane Mitch. Her second album, Oro y Arcilla, followed in 2004.


Over the years, Maria's music and story have been featured across television and radio throughout the United States, Honduras, Mexico, and Argentina, and she has performed for institutions including the Smithsonian Institution and the Organization of American States.


Today, Maria leads Sol y Rumba alongside her three children, who share the stage with her as lead vocalists, carrying the band's sound into its next generation.

Listen to Marias original music featuring

Sol y Rumba

Awards & Recognition


  • 1988 OTI Festival Finalist — Washington D.C. representative, 3rd Place National Final
  • 1998 OTI Festival Judge — Tegucigalpa, Honduras
  • 2 Studio Albums — María Isolina (1998), Oro y Arcilla (2004)
  • Performed for the Smithsonian Institution and the Organization of American States
  • Songwriter, "Somos Hermanos" — Hurricane Mitch relief benefit