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). Under Anna’s leadership, Sirens of Gotham placed 12th at the 2023 SAI international chorus contest.

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.

ARTISTIC VP (BOARD MEMBER): Stephanie Ofshinsky

VISUAL TEAM:

• Choreography & Staging: Alexis DePersia-Norelli, Laura Packer

• Costumes: Becca Eckes

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.