Jelena is one of a rare kind: a person of the highest integrity. That touches her intelligent and at the same time sensitive playing as a skilled soloist or chamber musician, as well as her attitude to deal with people in general. This is one of the reasons why she taught in our young talents programme “TUP” and got re-invited to do so several times, but also why she worked behind the curtains at Norway's most prestigious music festivals such as Oslo Chamber Music Festival. She is one of the most trustworthy people I know, and her combination of direct honesty and warmth is a win for everyone.

Every once in a while, I meet a person who stops me in my tracks. Something jostles me, no it bulldozes me, and makes me reconsider my previous points of reference of who people are or can be. Jelena is one of those people. Her piano playing is divine – compelling and gorgeously enjoyable. But it’s her depth that hits deep. She’s inquisitive, driven and wants very much to know how or what she can do to contribute to the event at hand. But in the end, it’s her beauty that rests long after she’s finished playing. Weeks after I met her and heard her play, I’m still in awe.

Jelena is a careful, meticulous pianist, in love with detail, expressive and emotional. For years she has been combining her playing with other arts, and her passion has led her to become a researcher: of experiences, techniques and emotions. I had the pleasure of writing for her and another fantastic young pianist, Maria Bue Kessel, the piece for piano duo “più piano, più possibile”. We worked together and the result was an attentive, passionate and exciting performance that I remember fondly. It is heartening to think that in today's welter of artists there are still young people like Jelena, who know how to pass on their knowledge with humility, love for music and respect for the audience."

Jelena is a skilled piano teacher who understands her students' needs and is good at adapting to the student's level. She shows enthusiasm for music and employs effective methods that help students understand what they should do and how the music can be expressed. By getting to know her students, she tailors the pieces to their personal preferences. My son Andreas wishes to keep Jelena as his piano teacher for as long as possible.

Collaborating with Jelena is always a stimulating and rewarding experience. I had the pleasure of composing the piece "Swinging" for prepared piano for four hands, which she premiered in Oslo. Her artistic curiosity and ability to experiment demonstrate not only great talent but also a rare and valuable resourcefulness. Working with her is a pleasure both artistically and personally.

From our very first meeting at the Conservatoire in 2009, it was clear that Jelena had a remarkable musical talent. Over time, she demonstrated many other essential qualities of a musician: a versatile, sharp, and inquisitive mind, coupled with tenacity and determination. She has always shown a genuine interest in a wide range of music and began exploring various repertoires early on, both as a soloist and within different instrumental ensembles.
I have never seen her back down or hesitate when faced with challenges; she consistently finds solutions, which has allowed her to make steady progress. On several occasions, I’ve been impressed by how quickly she learns, the depth of her musical insights, and her ability to adapt to diverse situations. She is well organised and, while she has a natural knack for leadership, she seamlessly harmonises with her fellow musicians when playing in a group.