Marco Pena has always had an inclination towards singing.  At the early age he was a soloist in the Colegio La Salle choir in Quito, Ecuador.  In his youth, while he was studying Jurisprudence at the Universidad Central in Quito. He was discovered by the distinguished chorus master Oscar Vargas Romero who founded the renowned Coro de la Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana.  With the moral and artistic support of this illustrious teacher and the venerable cultural institution, he performed as a tenor soloist of that choir for a few years. He was studying under the notable teacher Rosario Leon and was concurrently attending the Conservatorio National in Quito when he decided to travel abroad.

Established in Chicago, he continued to nurture his passion for singing, under the tutelage of Corrado and
Adelina Vaselli.  Years of effort and dedication were rewarded: he was accepted as a chorister with the world famous Lyric Opera of Chicago where he remained for several years until he was inducted into the Military US Forces. Pena did not undertake any intense musical activities until many years later when he joined the choir of Saint Margaret Mary Parish.  There, with generous guidance of its Director Stephen Burke, he pursued his penchant, and as he tell us: “I opened the windows of my soul and aw that the old light was still bright”. Since then, Peña has performed as a soloist in concerts and in various choir activities.  May 9, 1981 marked his own debut concert, under the artistic direction of Sthephen Burke who accompanied him.

He has given several concerts in Chicago, at the St. Scholastica Threatre and in Quito, at the Teatro Nacional Sucre. In the course of his long career, Marco has performed as soloist in many venues and for many institutions. He has sung the Tenor solo in the Seven Last Words of Christ and at St. John Cantius Church for eighteen years. During his tenure with the Naperville Chorus Marco has performed as soloist in various concerts, including Love, Honor and Betrayal, a Montage of Opera Choruses, Amahl and the Night Visitors, HMS Pinafore, Liebesliederwalzer, Spring Life, and Magnificat by Bach. Marco has produced several live recordings from his many concerts at  St. Scholastica Theatre in Chicago. In 1981 he recorded his first album in a studio, entitled My Favorite Songs, accompanied at the piano by his

long time friend, Steve Burke.