In addition to Elena's career as a classic singer, she designs and creates costumes for opera and theatre productions.  Elena was engaged and is re-invited to assist with projects in Costume Departments of UBC Opera and Vancouver Opera. Elena's recent project includes work on a creative team as a Costume Designer for a Canadian premiere of G. Benjamin's "Into the Little Hill" chamber opera by Astrolabe Music Theatre, in collaboration with Vancouver Opera Orchestra (2023).

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Elena is a graduate from the CUT Vancouver Fashion Academy and her additional training in Garment Design and Costume History comes as a great asset as she continues to advance her skills working in a theatre environment. As a designer, Elena contributed to many thematical concerts and musical productions, such as "Opera, Salut!", "Nostalgia", "Silver Era", "Cabaret Odessa" presented by the Vancouver classical events agency Ad Libitum Entertainment.  Elena also designed costumes for the Dolce & Belcanto opera show, created in partnership with Vancouver Opera artist Melanie Krueger.

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Some of Elena's work include: 

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UBC OPERA (Costume design and assistance)

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"Le Nozze di Figaro", Mansfield Park", Eine Nacht in Venedig", Eugene Onegin", Midsummer Night's Dream", "Ariadne auf Naxos","La Cenerentola" (with costumes previously designed for "Eine Nacht in Venedig")

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VANCOUVER OPERA (Assistance with costumes design and alteration)

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"Dead Man Walking", "Le Nozze di Figaro"

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ASTROLABE MUSIC THEATRE (Costume Designer)

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"Into the Little Hill"

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In addition, Elena designs gowns for opera performers. Her line of opera gowns “FABric of OpERA” was showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week (Spring/Summer 2022), as a tribute to the beautiful world of opera, with a touch of nostalgia to the fabulous era of extravagant costumes and glamourous evening gowns. The gowns address not only the visual side of the character portrayal, but the “technical” specifics important to singers: ability of the costume to allow for a deep breathing and support. Each piece presents a portrayal of the famous heroine from the world classics such as Dalila from “Samson et Dalila” by C. Saint-Saëns, Cornelia (“Giulio Cesare”, F. Handel), Ninon (“Violet of Montmartre”, E. Kalman), Mother Spring (“Snow Maiden”, N. Rimsky-Korsakov), and other.

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