Martin Ødegaard was born in 1983 in Telemark. Studies in folk-music at Telemark university college with Anne Gravir and Sondre Bratland as mentors. Studies in composition at the Norwegian Academy of music with Bjørn Kruse, Henrik Hellstenius and Lasse Thoresen as his main mentors.

His concert music has been performed by ensebles like; Oslo sinfonietta, Athelas sinfonietta Copenhagen, The Norwegian radio orchestra, Aksiom, Schola cantorum, The Norwegian soloist choir and Uranienborg vocal-ensemble among others.

To write new music with authentic folk-elements into contemporary sound-images has been a main focus in works as; ”Maria” and ”Concerto for hardangerfiddle and sinfonietta”.
This concept has led to several collaborations with excellent folk- musicians like; Unni Løvlid, Berit Opheim, Vegar Vårdal and Aasmund Nordstoga.

Another concept that has been present in works as; "KOMM", "Paraphrase", "Maria" and "Readings of Schoenberg" is to use music by other composers as a starting point, for further development of ideas and for composing possible complex musical situations. To take advantage of some "original" musical materials references, stretched into different directions, projected into a new palette of sounds, is often quite powerful, and might give the listener  an intense and grasping experience.

Martin Ødegaard has also written music for different stage-productions, most recent, in spring 2012 for the large production ”Bæ-re” by Rom for Dans, Oslo.

He won the ”academy-prize 2006” in Rauland, and the work ”Stone-piece” exhibited at Henie Onstad art center, won the first prize in the competition ”Absorbation and resonance 2009” (Notam).
He has recieved several scholarships, and receives in 2012-2014 working grant from the Norwegian art council.

Martin Ødegaard is a member of New Musics composers group, and of the Norwegian society of composers.