Marlo Zemartis – Violinist | Composer | Arranger
Marlo’s greatest joy comes from building something new in real time with others—on stage, in the studio, or across genres—and letting the music say what words can’t.
Marlo had an unconventional journey in music, starting at age 11 in Las Vegas when a reluctant orchestra elective unexpectedly sparked a lifelong creative path. Growing up in poverty with no access to private lessons, she relied on after-school programs and donated instruments made available by the few educators who went out of their way to support her. While some doubted her potential, a handful of teachers saw something in her—and gave her their time, attention, and encouragement.
Thanks to those serendipitous mentors, Marlo found places to grow: by age 13, she was already composing and conducting original music for her middle school orchestra, she auditioned for the advanced orchestras at Las Vegas Academy, first chairs and featured solos in Honors ensembles and LVYO, early music theory training, composition practice, and finished among the top three finalists in Nevada’s Solo & Ensemble competition—all before she ever had a private violin lesson. She taught herself the Bach sonatas from borrowed sheet music, practiced and studied long after the final bell. Their faith in her continues to shape who she is—not just as a musician, but as a person. Today, she pays that forward by striving to truly see others and helping them see the possibilities within themselves.
After graduating from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, she went on to earn a double degree in violin performance and music composition from Loyola University New Orleans and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Along the way, she became a multi-instrumentalist, expanding her voice through viola, cello, upright bass, guitar, and piano.
During college, busking on the Las Vegas Strip with Siren Strings honed her improvisation and arranging skills, erasing stage fright with every week spent in unpredictable environments and among curious tourists.
Marlo’s work spans original music projects, television appearances, music videos, and cross-genre recording collaborations. As a composer and studio collaborator, her writing has appeared in short films, documentaries, 48-hour film festivals, and genre-defying albums. She has contributed original string parts and arrangements for artists across hip hop, cinematic pop, metal, hybrid electronic styles, and country.
Her live performance credits range from intimate acoustic shows to arena-scale festivals. Marlo has opened for and performed alongside artists such as Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, Lenny Kravitz, Train, The Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson, Cheap Trick, and Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers). Her television and event appearances include Pawn Stars, Love After Lockup, MTV’s My Super Sweet Sixteen, Rock in Rio, Comic-Con, Wild Wild West Fest, and the Latin Grammys.
She has toured internationally with Femmes of Rock, Phat Strad, Renaissance Rock Orchestra, and Killian’s Angels, and has performed in Lady Light’s Laser Violin and Icebeat Factory’s Laser Harp—often incorporating choreography, visual design, and theatrical elements into her work.
Marlo’s original bands and collaborations include the steampunk rock group Deus Ex Vapore Machina, the DJ/violin duo Mt/Mz, Gregory Michael Davis, and a growing network of projects that reflect her openness to sonic exploration.
With a foundation rooted in both classical training and intuitive play, Marlo is equally comfortable delivering soaring fiddle lines in a country set or crafting cinematic textures behind a ballad. Her musical identity is shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a belief in human connection—play it like you mean it, and say what needs to be heard. Whether solo or in collaboration, her goal is always the same: to create a moment of shared feeling—a vibe that resonates long after the last note fades.
Music should make people feel seen. And we should never forget those who made the choice to see us first.
Marlo’s greatest joy comes from building something new in real time with others—on stage, in the studio, or across genres—and letting the music say what words can’t.
Marlo had an unconventional journey in music, starting at age 11 in Las Vegas when a reluctant orchestra elective unexpectedly sparked a lifelong creative path. Growing up in poverty with no access to private lessons, she relied on after-school programs and donated instruments made available by the few educators who went out of their way to support her. While some doubted her potential, a handful of teachers saw something in her—and gave her their time, attention, and encouragement.
Thanks to those serendipitous mentors, Marlo found places to grow: by age 13, she was already composing and conducting original music for her middle school orchestra, she auditioned for the advanced orchestras at Las Vegas Academy, first chairs and featured solos in Honors ensembles and LVYO, early music theory training, composition practice, and finished among the top three finalists in Nevada’s Solo & Ensemble competition—all before she ever had a private violin lesson. She taught herself the Bach sonatas from borrowed sheet music, practiced and studied long after the final bell. Their faith in her continues to shape who she is—not just as a musician, but as a person. Today, she pays that forward by striving to truly see others and helping them see the possibilities within themselves.
After graduating from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, she went on to earn a double degree in violin performance and music composition from Loyola University New Orleans and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Along the way, she became a multi-instrumentalist, expanding her voice through viola, cello, upright bass, guitar, and piano.
During college, busking on the Las Vegas Strip with Siren Strings honed her improvisation and arranging skills, erasing stage fright with every week spent in unpredictable environments and among curious tourists.
Marlo’s work spans original music projects, television appearances, music videos, and cross-genre recording collaborations. As a composer and studio collaborator, her writing has appeared in short films, documentaries, 48-hour film festivals, and genre-defying albums. She has contributed original string parts and arrangements for artists across hip hop, cinematic pop, metal, hybrid electronic styles, and country.
Her live performance credits range from intimate acoustic shows to arena-scale festivals. Marlo has opened for and performed alongside artists such as Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, Lenny Kravitz, Train, The Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson, Cheap Trick, and Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers). Her television and event appearances include Pawn Stars, Love After Lockup, MTV’s My Super Sweet Sixteen, Rock in Rio, Comic-Con, Wild Wild West Fest, and the Latin Grammys.
She has toured internationally with Femmes of Rock, Phat Strad, Renaissance Rock Orchestra, and Killian’s Angels, and has performed in Lady Light’s Laser Violin and Icebeat Factory’s Laser Harp—often incorporating choreography, visual design, and theatrical elements into her work.
Marlo’s original bands and collaborations include the steampunk rock group Deus Ex Vapore Machina, the DJ/violin duo Mt/Mz, Gregory Michael Davis, and a growing network of projects that reflect her openness to sonic exploration.
With a foundation rooted in both classical training and intuitive play, Marlo is equally comfortable delivering soaring fiddle lines in a country set or crafting cinematic textures behind a ballad. Her musical identity is shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a belief in human connection—play it like you mean it, and say what needs to be heard. Whether solo or in collaboration, her goal is always the same: to create a moment of shared feeling—a vibe that resonates long after the last note fades.
Music should make people feel seen. And we should never forget those who made the choice to see us first.
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