Elena Galvan Bates

Praised for her “perfectly spun, silvery soprano” and “brilliant, crystalline top,” Elena Galván has gained recognition as a soprano with a “bubbly personality and wicked sense [of] fun.” Elena recently made her house debut at Syracuse Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, and Hawaii Opera Theatre as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, a role she also performed at Florida Grand Opera to critical acclaim. Elena will be making her house debut with Opera Parallel in 2024 as Miss Lightfoot in Fellow Travelers in the piece’s West Coast premiere. Elena has performed roles including Adele (Die Fledermaus), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Norina (Don Pasquale), Oscar (Un ballo in maschera), and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi) at companies across the US such as Opera San José, Florida Grand Opera, and Opera Ithaca. In addition, Elena has been a participant in prestigious Young Artist Programs at Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Saratoga, Virginia Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and Kentucky Opera. On the concert stage, Elena performed Mahler’s 4th Symphony with the Oakland Symphony, the World Premiere of Jorge Martin’s “Cuban in Vermont” with the NuDeco Ensemble in Miami, Handel’s Messiah with The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Binghamton Downtown Singers, The Arts at Grace Series and joined Out of the Box Opera for “Diva Cage Match.”

A teaching artist, Elena has maintained a private studio since 2012, and currently holds Adjunct Faculty positions at Nova Southeastern University and Broward College. Elena is a returning Voice Faculty member at Ithaca College’s Summer Music Academy, and has taught private lessons and repertoire classes as a Visiting Guest Teacher at Ithaca College and Cornell University. She has maintained her private voice studio since completing her teaching internships at Ithaca College, working with students ages twelve to eighty in classical voice, musical theater, jazz, and pop from amateur to the pre-professional level. Elena has trained in the United States and Italy with internationally regarded teachers including Catherine Cook, Patrice Pastore, Barbara Honn, and Benita Valente. While pursuing her operatic career, Elena has worked with young and aspiring singers through educational outreach programs with the San Francisco Opera Guild, Florida Grand Opera, Virginia Opera, Kentucky Opera, and Livermore Valley Opera.  Elena holds degrees in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. www.elenagalvan.com