Marcelo began studying viola in 1985 with Professor Diógenes Nébias. He entered the Minas Gerais Federal University (UFMG) in 1994, graduating six years later under Marco Lavigne and Carlos dos Reis. He participated in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Leopold la Fosse, Horácio Schaefer, Kenneth Martinson and Renato Bande. Marcelo was also the winner of the 1988 UFMG Young Soloists contest.

He was a member of the Sesiminas Chamber Orchestra from 1995 to 2007, participated in the now defunct Orquestra Uni-BH and in 1988 he worked with the Minas Gerais Symphony Orchestra. Since 2005, Marcelo works as a professor in the Viola Bachelor course at Minas Gerais State University (UEMG).