Elayna is a Chicago native and performs frequently in the Midwest. She displayed an exceptional talent for music at an early age and formal piano lessons began at age 7 followed by organ lessons at age 11 and voice lessons at 15. During her last 3 years in high school, Elayna was chosen by audition to participate in the All City High School Chorus in Chicago.

Prior to her senior year in high school, Elayna auditioned for the Chicago Symphony Chorus and was accepted. She remained under the direction of the late Margaret Hillis for the next 17 years and was a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Her solos with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra include Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (Mater Glorioso), Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Mussorgsy’s Boris Godunov and Strauss’ Electra under the following conductors:  the late Sir George Solti, Kurt Mazur and James Levine.

As a concert soloist, Elayna’s performances have included opera, oratorio and classical concerts with area orchestras, recitals, weddings and funerals, and lighter musical and standard concerts, and meeting entertainment and holiday concerts.

She was also the co-founder of the Chicago Sound, a Broadway revue show band that performed in the Midwest area for conventions.

Elayna has taught high school and elementary general vocal music programs and directed several choirs. She holds a Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education with High Honors from Northeastern Illinois.