Mario Zelaya began his violin studies at age 13 in his native Honduras at the National School of Music in Tegucigalpa. By age 15 he had won second prize and by 16 first prize in the National Competition in his hometown. He secured his first professional job as concertmaster of the Honduran Philharmonic shortly after.

Zelaya earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance from Lynn Conservatory, studying with the prestigious violinist and conductor Guillermo Figueroa. During his studies, he competed in the Cremona International String Competition in Italy, winning first prize as well as two special awards for Best Bach and Best Virtuoso Piece.

As a soloist, Zelaya has played numerous recitals in Italy, Central America and United States, collaborating with renowned artists including Andres Cardenes, James Buswell, Elmar Oliveira, Guillermo Figueroa, Kathleen Battle, Glenn Dicterow, Leon Fleisher among others. In addition to a busy career as soloist and chamber musician, Zelaya has played with numerous orchestras, including the Palm Beach Symphony, Florida Grand Opera, South Florida Symphony, Symphony of the Americas, Southwest Symphony, Boca Symphonia, Venice Symphony, San Antonio Opera and Ballet, Fabian Almazan Jazz Ensemble, Endless Mountain Music Festival, Richard Brown Orchestra, and Lake Charles Symphony. He has also performed in concerts with Andrea Bocelli and the rock band Kansas.

Zelaya has been teaching private lessons for over a decade at the Vivace Music Academy and Parkland International Music Academy. In 2023 he moved to Houston where he performs regularly in numerous ensembles, performing classical and contemporary music. Zelaya has his own Violin studio in Sugar Land.