Elena Polevaya commenced her music education on cello at the age of seven. She received her Honours Degrees in Musicology and Music Education at Moscow's most prestigious Gnesiny Academy of Music, concurrently with many years of training in classical singing.

Soon after she arrived in Melbourne in 1992, Elena performed the role of Marcellina in the Ringwood Opera Company production of Marriage of Figaro. She has sung with the Victorian State Opera and Opera Australia for four years and performed in a number of venues, including the Convention Centre, Melba Hall, National Theatre and Melbourne Concert Hall.

During her time with Melbourne City Opera Elena has sung roles of Mimi in La Bohéme, Tosca and Nedda Pagliacci , and also enjoyed success in her appearances in two modern comic operas The Widow of Ephesus and The Obelisk at Chapel off Chapel. She also gives concert performances.

As a pianist, Elena worked for the Ballet School at Dance World 301. Elena has a private practice in singing, piano, theory and cello, and she also teaches these subjects at Killester College.