Born in Venice, Italy, Elena began her musical studies on piano and later on voice at the "Thelonious Monk" jazz school with Carla Marcotulli; moreover, she studied opera with soprano Francesca Scaini. In 1992, she attended the clinic of Bob Stoloff in Umbria Jazz '92 and participated in master-classes and workshops with, amongst others, Jay Clayton, Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, and Meredith Monk.

In 1994 Elena joined the choir "Venice Gospel Ensemble" as soloist with which she recorded several CDs and sang in many theaters and national television shows. She worked with several groups in Italy and as a leader she performed in clubs, theaters and festivals; she also worked as recording vocalist for numerous artists on the Italian national scene.

Elena worked as a "living installation" at the Biennale 2003, in Venice, for the artist Tino Sehgal; in July 2004 she won the Best Student Award at the Michelle Hendricks' jazz vocal workshop with the Spoleto Arts Symposia. In 2008 Elena moved to New York City where she  became part of the underground jazz scene, performing and working with many musicians of the New York Area and experimenting with actors, poets, dancers and filmmakers. Since August 2015 she lives in Boulder, Colorado, where she performs with many musicians and artists of the greater Denver area,  teaches voice at the Naropa University, founded the "Nalanda Ensemble", started the monthly series for free improvisers "OH SNAP!"  and served for 6 years on the board of Creative Music Works. 

Elena has been teaching voice, music ensemble and vocal ensemble since 1996 in Italy and the U.S.A.