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…gloomy winter afternoon.
It is snowing again in a small windy town in Lithuania. A
little girl, leaning forward, struggling against the northern
wind, with an oversized backpack behind her shoulders and
a heavy sheet music case in her hand, is making her way to
the music school. She has four more classes there today, although
the six-hour school day is over for other kids. Her mom or
dad can not take her there. They are working overtime to make
ends meet and to send their daughter to this music school.
Still, sometimes, there is not enough money to even pay for
the food. The only truly valuable possession this family owns
is the old German upright piano. But even that was inherited
from Gelena’s grandfather, who passed away several years ago…
Gelena with her parents and her little sister
lived in one room of a small apartment in the old part of
Kaunas, Lithuania. As small as it was, the apartment with
its kitchen and bathroom, had to be shared with two other
families. That included an always-drunk neighbor, often causing
fighting and yelling at home. So, music was the way of escaping
the grim reality for Gelena, as she was growing up. |
Gelena’s
musical and artistic talents began evolving very early. Since
she was a toddler, she loved making up little songs and entertaining
guests and family with her home performances. That is when
her parents noticed Gelena’s voice and potential. However,
with her mom, an elementary school teacher, and her dad working
on his research, they were still below the poverty line and
struggled to make a living. Yet, they recognized that Gelena’s
talent must not be wasted and taught her to work hard on developing
it. The school friends and teachers also heard her bright
pure voice as Gelena performed in school recitals and national
singing competitions, where her stage career actually began.
At the same time, Gelena’s music teacher saw her great creative
potential and pushed her to start composing more seriously
than before. Gelena wrote some of her first children’s songs
and piano pieces that found recognition among adult musicians.
Yet, new challenges were still ahead.
Moving from Lithuania to the United States became truly a move to the new life for Gelena’s family. The transition was very hard for the teenage girl. Struggling to adjust and survive in the new country, she again turned to music to help her through the rough times. Here, Gelena continued her musical development, taking voice lessons, singing at clubs and events, expanding her cover songs repertoire, and writing new original music. She quickly won over her audience’s hearts with her clear voice, and bright, energetic stage performance, making new fans each time.
Today, Gelena continues writing her own songs, including lyrics and music, which brings the most emotional, spiritual and intellectual fulfillment to her as an artist. Her songs are mostly created in the style of adult contemporary pop. Her music carries a distinct European flavor from being raised on Russian and European classical, pop, and rock music. She writes and performs in both languages: Russian and English, combining the best of the two worlds.
Music has always been and always will be Gelena’s one true inspiration. “Only in music I feel completely free. Only on the wings of music I can really fly. It is my narcotic and my savior, my language and sight. It is the air I breathe and the water I drink. Music is the very core of me...”
Please look for her recently produced albums “Dissolve”, “My Piano and Me”, and her powerful spiritual single “Arise.” |
