bio
Elena Koleva is a versatile singer and creative teacher working in various music styles such as Jazz, Music Theater, Eastern-European folklore, R&B and other contemporary styles. She holds a Master’s Degree in Voice Performance from the Bulgarian State Academy and a Master’s degree (with honors) from New England Conservatory, Boston, MA and taught voice and improvisation at New Bulgarian University from 1995 to 2001, and is currently a voice faculty at Berklee College of Music.
Elena has appeared as a soloist of the National Radio Big Band, Sofia, Bulgaria, Acoustic Version trio and with artists such as Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Moses, Bruce Gertz, Gene Perla, Mike Tucker, Plamen Karadonev and many others. She has also participated in established jazz festivals, TV shows and theater performances in Europe and the United States. Locally Elena has performed at venues such as the Berklee Performance Center, Ryles Jazz Club, Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, The Lily Pad, Beehive, Les Zygomates and many others. Elena has released two solo albums with the Acoustic Version Trio–Round Midnight (1995) and Invisible Touch (1998) and has appeared as a guest singer and co-arranger in a number of albums and projects including Plamen Karadonev’s “Crossing Lines” (2008) and The Contemporary Piano Accordion Project (current). Her deep, velvety voice, in combination with an exotic stage appearance, have made her a highly desirable and appreciated jazz performer on the jazz scene in Boston. Elena has studied with outstanding musicians such as Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Moses, Charlie Benacos, George Garzone, Dominique Eade and Ken Schaphorst.
She is a passionate admirer of painting and photography, where the singer finds inspiration for music.