I created Orchestra Elena in 2024 to work creatively with clients in the fashion, film, fine art and music industries on curated classical performances and interdisciplinary collaborations.
The orchestra debuted at a performance in July 2024, featuring pianist Lara Downes in the east coast premiere of Rhapsody in Blue Reimagined (arr. Edmar Colón). The performance took place under the Brooklyn Bridge and was broadcast live on WNYC as part of WNYC’s centennial celebration, to an in-person crowd of about 5,000 people.
Photography by Phonesvanh Siharat
Other performances included a specially curated performance for At Land Gallery’s opening of Dialobjects during Upstate Art Weekend. I curated an immersive set interacting with Dialobjects, a collaborative series of sculptural works by Hudson Valley based artists Kieran Kinsella and Rodger Stevens.
The musical sets, arranged for flute, violin, viola and cello, were composed of pieces and musical excerpts and movements designed to transition seamlessly.
I conceived of Orchestra Elena and led every aspect of it: art directing and styling our brand photoshoot (in which I also modeled, shot by photographer Jordan Payne), commissioning our logo and print materials with designer Maria Jarzyna, booking and producing our debut performance partnership, hiring and managing our team, including production assistant Kathryn Giordano, and performing on flute. For our gallery performance, I also curated the program and performed.
Orchestra Elena is not currently active, but I'm open to future projects under its name.