Elena Polevaya
ProfessionalMembership
Elena Polevaya is a cellist, pianist, composer, and an operatic soprano; originally trained in Ukraine and then in Russia part of the former Soviet Union, she holds an Assoc. Dip. in Piano and a Master’s degree in Musicology. Elena has taught cello, piano, theory and voice; performed and recorded with several opera companies (notably, Victoria State Opera/Opera Australia and Melbourne City Opera) and as a vocal recitalist in Melbourne since 1992.
In Ballarat since 2015, she has performed on the piano and cello; and as a soprano solo with Moorabool Light Orchestra and Ballarat Symphony (as a soprano, appearing in the finales of Ralph-Vaughan’s Third Symphony and Tomasi’s ‘Fanfare Liturgiques’). Elena has played the piano, keyboard, and cello and served as Assistant Conductor in several musical productions with local schools and music theatre/opera companies; notably, playing the piano score for “Amahl and the Night Visitors’ by Menotti with Cordelia's Potted Operas. In 2021, while serving as the cello section leader with Ballarat Symphony, Elena composed a piece for a symphony orchestra “One Day We’ll Look Back at It, And…”, intended for and realised as a virtual performance project by the BSO.
Elena’s experience as an accompanist is level to her teaching. From the ballet school and AMEB exam accompanist in late 1990-s to present day accompanist for all instruments and levels, Elena is in demand for both her studio charges and elsewhere. In 2023-24 she worked as an accompanist with local Steiner school. In 2024, Elena was appointed an official accompanist for non-operatic sections of Ballarat Eisteddfod Vocal Competition. In addition, she has been playing at the Eisteddfod for string and wind instrumental performers, several of whom have won first prizes and various other accolades.
In Ballarat since 2015, she has performed on the piano and cello; and as a soprano solo with Moorabool Light Orchestra and Ballarat Symphony (as a soprano, appearing in the finales of Ralph-Vaughan’s Third Symphony and Tomasi’s ‘Fanfare Liturgiques’). Elena has played the piano, keyboard, and cello and served as Assistant Conductor in several musical productions with local schools and music theatre/opera companies; notably, playing the piano score for “Amahl and the Night Visitors’ by Menotti with Cordelia's Potted Operas. In 2021, while serving as the cello section leader with Ballarat Symphony, Elena composed a piece for a symphony orchestra “One Day We’ll Look Back at It, And…”, intended for and realised as a virtual performance project by the BSO.
Elena’s experience as an accompanist is level to her teaching. From the ballet school and AMEB exam accompanist in late 1990-s to present day accompanist for all instruments and levels, Elena is in demand for both her studio charges and elsewhere. In 2023-24 she worked as an accompanist with local Steiner school. In 2024, Elena was appointed an official accompanist for non-operatic sections of Ballarat Eisteddfod Vocal Competition. In addition, she has been playing at the Eisteddfod for string and wind instrumental performers, several of whom have won first prizes and various other accolades.
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