Marlena hales from Bridgeport, CT where she was born and raised. Her musical beginning started in the church, where at the age of four she sang in the church choir. She performed solos in church and with various gospel choirs throughout Connecticut. She attended college for a couple of years, and then decided to explore opportunities on the stage and other venues.rnHer Connecticut accomplishments consist of playing the role of Glinda in the WIZ at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in her hometown of Bridgeport. She performed Chiffon in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the role of Dulcie in THE BOYFRIEND and was in the ensembles of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and SWEET CHARITY. She performed at a ceremony for the Special Olympics in Waterbury, CT, and was a featured vocalist in the productions A BROADWAY REVUE and A SALUTE TO U.S. TROOPS. She was a lead vocalist in the James Daniel Band/Orchestra out of Stamford, CT.rnHer television credits include being featured in the SHOWER SINGERS segment of the JOE FRANKLIN SHOW (WWOR Channel 9, NY/NJ), on the cable show How To Succeed In Show Business By Really Trying, and in the CBS TV special A Schtick and a Dream.rnHer New York City accomplishments include being filmed in the Shower Me music video for the group Surface, performing as a cabaret act at the Beef Steak Charlies Lounge, appearing at the Apollo Theatre for Amateur Night at the Apollo and also performed with the band JUST US as a lead vocalist.rnHer Seattle, WA credits include performing with the groups Shades, Hit Explosion, Funkalicious and Brickhouse as a lead vocalist. Her theatre experience in Seattle found her participating in the Broadway-bound staged reading of Cheryl L West’s gospel play Rejoice!, which was directed by Kenny Leon , (who also directed the New York Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun), where she played Auntie A and was part of the ensemble. She has also performed at the Taste of Tacoma, The Bite of Seattle and at the Children’s Theatre where she performed the song I Go All To Pieces written by Kathy McDonald, during the promotion of the play We Are Not Good Girls, written by Grammy nominee Kate Hart.rnIn North Carolina she co-directed and co-wrote the play History of the Black Church and performed the role of the narrator and was part of the ensemble.rn