My name is Elena Ruscitto, also known as Lene. I was born and raised in Milan, Italy, and I currently reside in Austin, Texas.

 

I earned my music degree in Jazz Piano from the Accademia Internazionale della Musica in Milan in 2011. In 2021, I received a distinction on the Grade 8 Rock & Pop Singing final examination from Trinity College London. In December 2022, I also earned my Estill Figure Proficiency certification.

 

At a young age, I began my performance career singing and playing jazz, soul, R&B, and blues in clubs throughout Milan and the surrounding area, including notable venues such as Blue Note Milan.

 

Although I have always been inspired by legendary artists such as Billie Holiday, Diana Krall, and Amy Winehouse, my own songwriting gradually moved in a different direction, leading me toward pop music.

 

In 2009, I participated in the second season of X Factor Italia as part of the vocal trio Sisters of Soul. This experience gave me the opportunity to perform across Italy during the summer season, continue working with the trio, and appear on national television.

 

Following my appearance on X Factor, I collaborated for several years with clarinetist Paolo Tomelleri and performed at Teatro Dal Verme in Milan.

 

In July 2011, I performed at the renowned Porretta Soul Festival, a soul music festival dedicated to Otis Redding.

 

In May 2016, I was selected by Casio Italy, along with three other notable songwriters from the Italian music scene, to present the new Grand Hybrid piano during Piano City Milano 2016.

 

In January 2016, I released my first album, Ring, followed by the single “In Fondo al Film” in September 2016. The music video received positive feedback and reviews.

 

I was a finalist at Area Sanremo in 2016 and a finalist at Musicultura in 2017, where I won both the Jury Prize and the Audition Prize on the same evening.

 

In August 2017, I opened for popular Italian singer Marina Rei in Vasto, Italy, in the courtyard of Palazzo d’Avalos.

 

In November 2017, I won the prize for Best Song during the contest Note d’Autore.

 

In May 2018, I released the single “Domani è un Altro Giorno,” which received extensive radio airplay throughout the summer and was also broadcast by the major Italian radio station Radio 105. Recensiamo Musica magazine included it among the 100 best songs of 2018.

 

In 2023, I performed at the prestigious Wine & Blues Festival in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

 

In April 2024, I released the EP Texas, a reflection of my transition from Italy to Texas.

 

In 2025, I founded Lene Music Studio in Austin, Texas. In a short period of time, the studio has grown to include more than 25 students, offering voice, piano, and music lessons to teens and adults.

 

In 2026, I released the EP Like a Stranger. One of its songs, “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” also received radio airplay on Austin’s prestigious KUTX.