Internationally Known Concert Organist
Born, Marco Antonio Mendez, September 29, 1964. Three days after his family arrived in Puerto Rico after being picked up 21 miles off the coast of Cuba. This made Marco an American citizen by birth. You can say Marco’s life was destined for greatness from the very beginning. At the age of 3 years old, Marco’s family moved to Brazil. It was there that Marco’s musical destiny started to unfold. Having no musical instruction, Marco started to play the organ. Marco’s natural ability led him to win the prestigious Yamaha Electone Competition in both Pop and classical music divisions not being able to read music, but playing solely by ear. From there his family moved back to Puerto Rico, where his parents, recognizing his amazing ability, decided to invest in his training by pursuing lessons with his first instructor, Ed Peterson.
After 2 years with Ed Peterson, his father, who was the head of one of the most powerful pharmaceuticals plants in the world, got transferred to New Jersey. Not wanting to forfeit Marco’s training they placed him with Dr. George Markey of Princeton University. After only one year with Marco, Dr. Markey realized Marco was a prodigy in every sense of the word. He arranged for an audition with Curtis Institute of Music, the best musical conservatory in the world. For this one opening for the organ, there were hundreds of students auditioning. For some it was not the first time they auditioned for this opening. Marco’s first audition won him the coveted slot, and at 12 years old, he was now among the youngest students to enter this world-renowned conservatory.
What was so special about Marco’s playing was his remarkable ability to read and play orchestral scores, which can be up to twelve lines of music being read and played at one time. This talent and ability placed him on staff with Wanamaker’s where he played the world’s largest pipe organ for five years.
Since then, Marco A. Mendez has continued to play in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and religious venues. One of which is Lady of Czestahova Shrine and Radio City Music Hall
Marco A. Mendez has continued to pour out his heart and soul making music all over the United States, Europe, Latin America, South America, China and Japan. Not only has Marco toured as an artist for the Lowery, Rogers, Allen and Roland U.S. organ companies, where he has inaugurated several organ installations, but Marco also travels and tours solo playing concerts Nationally and Internationally.
Marco continues to share his music, not only by traveling and playing, but he has private students as well. His love for his music and his instrument compels him to keep it alive.
Source: http://www.mendezmusicstudios.com/Biographies.html
[Youtube_Channel_Gallery user=”lowreymendez” maxitems=”12″ link=”1″ theme=”light” videowidth=”640″]