A Voice Shaped by Two Continents

Olena Simsek is a Ukrainian soprano whose musical journey has always brought together solo and choral singing. Her professional path has taken her from Ukraine to Türkiye and Canada, combining opera and concert performance with a deep commitment to music and teaching.

Olena began her professional musical education at the Viktor Kosenko Music College in Zhytomyr, where she studied Choral Conducting — training that gave her a strong foundation in choral singing, conducting, musicianship, and ensemble work. She later continued her education at the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University in Kyiv, studying at the Faculty of Music and Arts for four years. Her passion for classical singing led her to the National Music Academy of Ukraine, where she earned her Master's degree in classical voice, with professional training in opera and concert performance and vocal teaching. During her studies at the Academy, Olena performed in numerous opera productions, including Mercédès in Bizet's Carmen, Tatiana in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, and the title role in Tchaikovsky's Iolanta.

An important chapter of Olena's professional career was her work with the renowned National Academic Choral Capella “DUMKA” of Ukraine. For more than thirteen years, she performed with the ensemble in an exceptionally diverse choral and concert repertoire and participated in international tours throughout Europe and South America — experience that gave her a deep understanding of ensemble singing, musical interpretation, different musical styles, and international concert performance.

During her years in Türkiye, Olena dedicated an important part of her musical activity to sharing Ukrainian music and culture with international audiences. Through concerts and international cultural events, she performed Ukrainian vocal and traditional repertoire, introducing audiences from different countries to the beauty and richness of Ukrainian song. Fluent in English, Ukrainian, Turkish, and Russian, she brings a rare, multilingual depth to opera and art song coaching.

Since moving to Calgary, Olena has continued her performing career and become an active part of the city's classical and performing arts community. She has performed with Calgary Opera in major productions including Verdi's Macbeth, Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, and Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Her collaboration with Calgary Concert Opera Company includes First Tourière in Puccini's Suor Angelica and Frasquita from Bizet's Carmen in An Afternoon at the Opera, performed with the Calgary Civic Symphony. Olena has also performed in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, and collaborated with the Firebird Chorus and Spiritus Chamber Choir.

Throughout her artistic journey, teaching has always been closely connected with performing. Her teaching draws on both her professional education and her practical experience as a performer — helping students understand their individual voices, build a healthy and natural vocal technique, develop musicality and confidence, and discover their own way of expressing themselves through music.

Choral Conducting Diploma — Viktor Kosenko Music College, Zhytomyr
BEd, Music & Arts — National Pedagogical Dragomanov University, Kyiv
MA, Classical Voice — National Music Academy of Ukraine
13 years, National Academic Choral Capella “DUMKA” of Ukraine — tours across Europe & South America
Calgary Opera — Macbeth, The Elixir of Love, Madama Butterfly
Calgary Concert Opera Company — Suor Angelica, Carmen
Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show · Firebird Chorus · Spiritus Chamber Choir
Fluent in English, Ukrainian, Turkish & Russian
20+ years teaching experience, Ukraine, Türkiye & Calgary