About Olena

A Voice Shaped by Two Continents

Olena Simsek is a Ukrainian–Canadian soprano and voice teacher now based in Calgary, Alberta. A graduate of Zhytomyr Music College, the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University (BEd, Music Pedagogy), and the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine (MA and BA, Music), her training combines rigorous classical technique with a lifelong passion for teaching.

For thirteen years, Olena was a principal artist with Ukraine's celebrated National Honored Choir “Dumka”, performing soprano repertoire on stages across Ukraine and Europe, and spent over two decades as a professional musician and voice teacher across Ukraine and Türkiye.

Since settling in Calgary, Olena has become an active part of the city's classical music scene — singing with the Calgary Opera chorus since 2022, and stepping into soloist roles with the Calgary Concert Opera since 2024, continuing through the 2025–2026 season. Fluent in English, Ukrainian, Turkish, and Russian, she brings a rare, multilingual depth to opera and art song coaching, and is proud to remain active within Calgary's Ukrainian-Canadian community.

Today, Olena channels that experience into her studio — helping singers of every age and level find freedom, confidence, and beauty in their own voice.

• 🎓 College Diploma, Music — Zhytomyr Music College
• 🎓 BEd, Music Pedagogy — National Pedagogical Dragomanov University
• 🎓 MA & BA, Music — Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine
• 🎭 13 years, Principal Artist — National Honored Choir “Dumka”, Kyiv
• 🎤 Soloist, Calgary Concert Opera (2024–present, incl. 2025–2026 season)
• 🎶 Chorus, Calgary Opera (2022–present)
• 🗣️ Fluent in English, Ukrainian, Turkish & Russian
• 📚 20+ years teaching experience, Ukraine, Türkiye & Calgary