Anna Chelak, Artistic Director

Anna has been a member of Sirens of Gotham for the last 10 years and consistently held a variety of artistic and managerial leadership positions. Before being appointed Artistic Director in April 2023, her contributions included a rebranding and Core Values initiative as well as a logo redesign in early 2017 as VP of Marketing, costume and staging design for the chorus's international competition debut and first place win at the 2018 SAI Harmony Classic as Associate Visual Director, and establishing Sirens of Gotham's dual charter with the Hell's Kitchen Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society in the Spring of 2020 as Chapter President. Anna also co-directed the BHS Hell’s Kitchen Chapter SATB ensemble GOTHAM to an 8th place finish at the 2022 BHS International Chorus Contest in Charlotte, NC. Anna currently sings Lead in the SSAA quartet Breakfast for Dinner (M-AD, NED).

Always a fan of the stage, Anna began studying Ukrainian folk dance as a child and went on to perform professionally with multiple ensembles in the tristate area through college. She began studying music and singing more seriously in middle school and was introduced to barbershop music by her high school choir teacher, music educator Patty Danner (Hickory Tree Chorus, Baritone of 2013 Region 15 Champion quartet, Drive!), who organized and encouraged multiple barbershop quartets and a show choir.

Anna grew up in New Jersey and lived in New York City for the last 15 years before recently moving into a new home in Westchester, NY with her partner (and fellow barbershopper) Braden Lynk, along with their two cats Otto and Windsor. She is a graduate of Barnard College at Columbia University and also works as a marketing strategy director at an advertising agency in Manhattan.

REHEARSAL CAPTAINS

• Alexis DePersia-Norelli

• Stephanie Ofshinsky

• Helen O’Rourke

SECTION MANAGERS

• Helen O’Rourke, Tenor

• Elena Georgieva, Lead

• Adena Korn, Baritone

• Stephanie Ofshinsky, Bass

Laura Paglione, President

Laura joined Sirens in February 2019 after a long hiatus from singing. In addition to singing in the bass section, Laura has coordinated costumes and makeup, and now assists with chorus fundraising needs as a member of the Board. Laura grew up in musical theater, with her first role as a singing bumble bee in Winnie the Pooh at age 5. Sixteen years later she was producing and directing (as well as performing in) pre-professional and amateur plays and musicals, singing in choruses and solo performances, and dabbling in instrumental music. But, degrees in engineering, computer science and business eventually led her professionally to technology and business consulting with a company that she owns with other partners, Spherical Cow Group. A proud mom of a 23- and 18-year old, Laura resides in Queens, NY when she isn’t traveling for conferences. She is excited to be reunited with her passion for singing, and loves the energy and community that is so characteristic of Sirens.

Erin Moore, VP of Membership

Mika Nagashima, VP of Events & Fundraising

Mika started singing in a local kids' choir at 4. She joined a school musical club and participated in "The Music Man" in an ensemble in college. That was her first contact with barbershop-style music, and she immediately fell in love with it. After moving to New York City, Mika became a member of Sirens in 2019 and currently sings lead. She is eager to sing in a quartet and always looking for quartet opportunities.She believes in the power of music in the education field. She held "Let's sing Japanese songs!! " workshops at pop culture conventions in Washington D.C. and Sirens' rehearsals.When not singing, Mika practices Muay Thai kickboxing, and spending time with her family and two black cats.

Kara Scharwath, VP of Marketing

Kara’s musical talents were revealed when she spontaneously performed a perfect rendition of Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” for a room full of her parents’ friends at the age of two. Soon after, she became a founding member of the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County, through which she had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall. Kara pursued her love of the arts throughout high school in concert choir, band and musical theater and studied classical ballet with the Royal Academy of Dance. Kara joined Sirens of Gotham in 2020 and currently serves as lead section manager. She also sings lead in the quartet, Off The Record, which won best Novice Quartet at the BHS Northern Division Contest in 2023.

Outside her musical pursuits, Kara serves as EVP of Global Marketing for BCW, an integrated communications and marketing firm headquartered in New York City. She takes full advantage of her marketing talents as VP of Marketing for the Sirens and as Events & Advocacy chair of the NYC board of Asian University of Women. Kara is also a competitive triathlete who races as part of the Wyn Republic Racing Team. You can follow her on Instagram @karameredith.

Charlotte Dow, Member-At-Large

Sarah Christian, Member-At-Large