ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:
COURSES TAUGHT:
Born in Venice, Italy, Elena began her musical studies on piano and later on voice at the “Thelonious Monk” jazz school with Carla Marcotulli; she also studied opera with soprano Francesca Scaini. In 1992, she attended the clinic of Bob Stoloff in Umbria Jazz ’92 and continued with jazz singing, participating in master-classes and workshops with Jay Clayton, Ines Reiger, Maria Pia DeVito, Rachel Gould, Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan. In 1994 Elena joined the gospel choir “Venice Gospel Ensemble” as soloist with which she / recorded several CDs and sang in many theaters and national television shows. She worked with several groups in Italy and as a leader she performed in clubs and theaters; she also worked as vocalist for numerous artists on the national scene. / Elena made the fun, great experience working as “living installation” at the Biennale 2003, in Venice, for the artist Tino Sehgal; in July 2004 she won the Best Student Award at the Michelle Hendricks’ jazz vocal workshop with the Spoleto Arts Symposia. In 2005 she recorded the CD “GRAZIE DEI FIORI?” under the label “Caligola Records”, dedicated to the Italian song of the 50es. In 2008 Elena moved to New York City where she soon became part of the underground jazz scene, performing and working with many musicians of the New York Area and experimenting with actors, poets, dancers and filmmakers. ?Elena has been teaching voice, music ensemble and vocal ensemble since 1996 in Italy and U.S.A. and she’s been very active in particular as music instructor for students with special needs. Since August 2015 she lives in Boulder, Colorado, where she teaches voice at Naropa University, founded the “Nalanda Ensemble”, started the monthly series for free improvisers “OH SNAP!” and joined the board of the Creative Music Works.
