Biography and Work Experience.
E lena's music studies began at the age of 3 when she started to sing at her mother's concerts. Her mom, Ludmila Ilchenko, had a gentle soprano voice and was a classic vocalist. She dedicated her life to Elena and Elena thank her so much.
At five Elena began introduction and teaching skills at the Children Music studio. At that time, after beginning piano studies as well, she began to study the guitar. Than Elena continued guitar, piano and vocal studies throughout her high schools years.
Elena's harp studies started at the College of Skills. There she had the opportunity to be trained and consulted by the famed Russian harp teacher Mark Rubin. At that time Elena had been developing her vocal skills and was participating in chorus of college and in church choir.
T hen, she moved on to Harp Studies at the Rostov-on Don Stait Conservatory named by Rakhmaninoff. Elena's head teacher, Professor Natalie Dobretsova, trained at St. Petersburg conservatory by legendary Russian Master harpist Madam Gordzevich.
During her studies in Rostov , she performed as a jazz singer. To improve her vocals, Elena took jazz singing lessons from the famous jazzman Nazaretov . At that time, she worked also as a harpist at the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.
After graduating from the conservatory, Elena continued her studies at the University Of Culture in Krasnodar. She studied at the University while working as the harpist with the Musical Theatre Opera and Ballet, singing at "Bolshoy Academicheskiy Hor" , and singing with a jazz band as well.
After moving to Hong Kong in 2002, Elena took part in "The Rhythm of Russia" festival, gave solo performances at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Shouson Theater, and St. Johns Cathedral.
Currently she performs regularly as the harpist and at the Hong Kong Harbour Grand hotel. Elena's teaching abilities are realized at the Music and Drama Institute, Harp Chamber and Friends of the Harp Charitable Foundation where she works as a Harp instructor and Harp performer. She also provides private harp, piano, and vocal lessons as well.