Marina Elana began training in ballet at a young age and delved into flamenco soon afterward. She began her studies in Spanish classical dance and flamenco with Adela Clara and continued her training with La Mónica and Yaelisa in the San Francisco Bay Area. She first traveled to Spain in 2006, and while there she studied with Yolanda Heredia, Rosario Toledo and Andres Pena in Sevilla. A year later she continued in Madrid with Concha Jareno and Maria Juncal. Marina made her performance debut at the age of fifteen with Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco and continued with the company for three years – during which she shared the stage with Pastora Galvan and Jose Anillo. She also appeared with La Monica's Pasion Flamenca and Maria Benitez's Teatro Flamenco in the summer of 2007. Marina also was a company member of Caminos Flamencos from 2004 until her recent move to New York City, performing in premier venues such as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Yoshi’s Jazz Club, and Cowell Theatre in addition to circulating the tablao scene. She graduated from Stanford University in 2008 with a B.A. degree in Film and Spanish language.