About Me
Elena Koleva is a versatile singer in various music styles such as Jazz, R&B, Eastern-European folklore and American pop-music. She has appeared as a soloist of the National Radio Big Band, Sofia, Bulgaria, The Whites Greens And Reds jazz band and the Acoustic Version trio. She has also participated in established jazz festivals and theater performances in Europe and the United States and has won several TV music-awards, competitions and grants. Elena has released two solo albums with the Acoustic Version Trio - Round Midnight (1995) and The Invisible Touch (1996).Elena holds a Master’s Degree in Voice Performance from the Bulgarian State Academy and she taught voice and improvisation at New Bulgarian University for 6 years ( 1995 through 2001).In 2001 Elena moved to Boston, MA and in 2002 she recorded her next project with Cari Peno Jazztet. The jazz singer had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest jazz musicians in Boston and New York City, including Mike Tucker, Kendall Eddy, Steve Langone, Bob Moses, Gene Perla, Dave Buda, Plamen Karadonev, Bruce Gertz and many others. In 2002, Elena was invited from the members of Lincoln Jazz Orchestra, NY to sing on a jam session in Roxbery, MA as part of Boston Jazz Fest series , 2002 and she received the most welcoming response from the bend members as well as the local audience. In 2004 Elena Koleva graduated from Quincy College, MA with major Music/Fine Arts and she became a passionate admirer of painting and photography, which are the areas the singer finds her escape from music. In 2005, the jazz singer receives a scholarship from New England Conservatory, Boston and has the greatest ever chance to study with outstanding musicians such as; Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Moses,Charlie Benacos, George Garzone, Dominique Eade. Elena graduated from New England Conservatory in 2007 with Honors , holding Master Degree of Jazz Studies and Improvisation/Voice performance. Her latest project is her participation in "Crossing Lines" a debut album of the jazz pianist Plamen Karadonev also featuring Hal Crook, George Garzone , Lee Fish, Kendall Eddy and Austin McMahon. Elena has 12 years of teaching experience based on her original method "Vocal Techniques And Improvisation" and she teaches voice and piano in three different private music schools in Boston area .Recently, she has performed at Boston and NYC areas venues such as the Berklee Performance Center /MA, The Blue Note/NY, Keller Room/MA , Encore Lounge Cafe/MA, The Good Life/ MA, The White Rainbow/MA , Hyatt Regency/MA, Shelly’s Jazz Club/NY, Lily Pad/MA, Scullers,/MA, Les Zygomates/ MA, The Beehive,/MA and many others.
