Brazilian-American cellist Marilyn de Oliveira was born into a musical family and began learning cello at age six. By her fifteenth birthday, Marilyn was already a member of the Orquestra Experimental de Repertorio (Sao Paulo, Brazil). She came to the United States in 1997 to pursue her Bachelor of Music Degree at Indiana University and then recieved her Master of Music Degree from Rice University. While in school, Marilyn attended several summer music festivals such as Tanglewood Music Center (where she received the Karl Zeise Memorial Cello Prize), Spoleto Festival USA, Kent/Blossom Music Center, Youth Orchestra of the Americas as well as the International Opera Festival of Orvieto and the Music Festival of Montepulciano (Italy). After graduating from Rice University in 2003, Marilyn joined the New World Symphony were she was a principal cellist and cello fellow for two years. In September of 2005, Marilyn joined the San Antonio Symphony cello section, where she currently holds a position. In February of 2006 she was the Bronze Award Winner in the Senior Division of the 9th Annual Sphinx Competition.