Backstage Intro - Meet Elena

[Alex]

Our Community Stars can be featured on Backstage Intros. To find out more about the Star Program click here. 

Hey everyone, 

This month, we're excited to introduce you to our brand new member of the Moderator team - @ElenaY!

Hi Elena , can you tell us a bit about yourself, we’d love to hear your story?

I'm from Varna , Bulgaria, so I love the sea and I basically grew up on the beach so to speak, and I love it for that 🏖. But I also love hiking in the mountains, so whenever the mountains call me, I take that call 🏔. I love learning new languages. That's kind of my thing too. I've lived in Germany and Scotland when I was younger/not saying I'm old now, but I've learned a lot about communicating with different people in different languages and I really enjoy that. I was also a chef a while ago, but fate had something else in mind. So now I'm here. I love music. In fact, I love it so much that all my life I have been saying the same thing over and over - If I could sing, I would probably be on stage performing right now. You guessed it - I can't sing and howl like a wolf, but that doesn't stop me. Even though I am not blessed with this talent, at least I can appreciate those who have it.

We just learned about your love for music, so I guess this is how you came to work in Spotify, but how did you end up in the Community team? 

The community team just asked for me to join. I guess I did a good a job in other Spotify areas so I was recommended as a good fit to the team. I wasn't really sure what the moderators do but I loved it when I started doing it 🖥.

As a big music fan, can you tell us what is your most memorable concert/ party/ festival that you've ever been to?

That will be the Phil Collins concert in Glasgow , Scotland 🎵. I got a marriage proposal during that concert 💍. I definitely think it's a memorable experience.

Wow, that's definitely a memorable experience. Can you share a favorite song with us?

I have so many favorite songs. I have favorite songs for every mood. If I feel happy I would play something like this:

https://open.spotify.com/track/63OFKbMaZSDZ4wtesuuq6f?si=81a7d69af82f4cde

If I am in a romantic mood I will play this:

https://open.spotify.com/track/10M2Ex445zw585Ducldzkw?si=ba503124fff64b08

What is your favorite thing about Spotify?

The choice and recommendations. The recommendations are spot on. I love it when Spotify just brings out songs I didn't think of. I even forgot that I have a radio in the car 🚙.

Tell us a bit about your hobbies, pets or whatever you want.

My hobbies are very random. I love hiking, cooking, DIY everything including furniture, gardening etc. I just came home from mount Olympus in Greece. I was hiking for 14 hours to say 'Hi' to Zeus and go back. I am laughing now, but I have never been more scared in my life. This mountain is scary if you try to climb it without proper equipment.

🐶 I have two chihuahuas-Charlie & Marley. I love them and I love dogs , but if I had a cat I would be even happier. Bottom line - I guess I love animals.

🍳 When I was younger I decided to become a world-famous Chef, so I worked in top French cuisine restaurants for years and then I realized I don't have any free time. I was working during most holidays and didn't have time to see my family. So I decided I needed a change.  As satisfying and rewarding a chef's job is, it is also difficult. I have nothing but respect for the ones who still pursue this dream.

🌳 The gardening was a surprise even for myself. All the flowers I have ever had have been mercilessly dried and forgotten in some corner of the room. Until one day something happened and started caring for them, as it happens with most things I get involved with. I started to expand my knowledge and do a lot of experimentation. So very soon the garden was full of flowers, trees , herbs and tomatoes. Oh how I love delicious home grown tomatoes.

Thank you, Elena! This was an amazing sneak peak into your story. We're glad to have you on the team!

Thanks for sticking around, folks!
Stay tuned for the next Backstage Intro coming soon.