Elena García is a New York–based artist and educator dedicated to telling meaningful stories that celebrate the full spectrum of the human experience. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Elena grew up steeped in music and theater — from singing along to the radio in her car seat to watching her mother’s cabaret shows and dancing with her Tía in the kitchen. Those early sparks grew into a lifelong passion for performance and connection.

She attended Northwestern University and earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Musical Theatre, Acting, and Political Science. During her time as a Wildcat, Elena collaborated on a variety of projects ranging from new student work to large-scale musicals. Highlights include performing in and helping develop a localized version of Working under the direction of Erin Ortman, and serving as General Manager of the award-winning a cappella group Purple Haze, with whom she performed across the country and abroad.

Now based in New York City, Elena splits her time between performing, teaching, and community-based arts work. She currently teaches with People’s Theatre Project, creating collaborative theater with students from immigrant and multilingual communities. She has also enjoyed her time as a Lead Teaching Artist taught with the Guthrie Theater’s education programs in Minneapolis.

Further, she was the first intern for Yoba Development where she is now a Partnerships Coordinator, cultivating space and building relationships between artists, businesses, and cultural organizations to strengthen communities. Elena has appeared in variety shows and new works at Green Room 42 and 54 Below, and is a member of the New York Vocal Collective, a pop/jazz/R&B choir led by Grammy-winning arranger Ben Bram. Whether in the classroom, rehearsal room, or onstage, she is driven by a belief in the transformative power of the arts to inspire, connect, and create change.