After a period of “Under Their Own Direction” Sirens select an Interim Artistic Director for 2026.
Sirens of Gotham is pleased to announce the selection of Stephanie Ofshinsky as Interim Artistic Director for 2026. In this role, Stephanie will be responsible for defining and implementing the artistic vision behind Sirens of Gotham and leading the chorus to the Sweet Adelines International stage in its first appearance as the Greater New York-New Jersey Chorus Champions.
As an educator, director, and barbershopper with more than seventeen years of experience, Stephanie specializes in cultivating musical excellence and community in both academic and artistic settings. She holds a BA in Musical Theatre and an MAT in Music Education from Manhattanville University, as well as a Master of Theatre Studies in Production and Design from Southern Oregon University. A certified educator in Music, Theatre, and Dance, she has spent her career in the Cresskill Public School System teaching grades 6–12 and directing ensembles across band, choir, orchestra, and a cappella. Her work spans full-scale theatrical productions, choreography, production design, and longstanding leadership of extracurricular performing arts programs. A long-time competitive quartet singer in both SAI and BHS, Stephanie brings a multifaceted understanding of performance, pedagogy, and ensemble leadership. Her career reflects a steady commitment to education, artistic rigor, and the belief that barbershop can—and should—continue evolving toward a more innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking future.
Sirens of Gotham Charter Members, February 2013
“We have been very lucky to have Steph serving in so many leadership roles over the years. Steph’s passionate vision will help us to continue to refine and grow our unique style of barbershop. I am thrilled that she will be leading us on the international stage in 2026!,” said President of the Board, Amy Heaton.
A Sweet Adelines International Certified Director and Regional Faculty member, Stephanie has been an active contributor to the barbershop community since 2007. She spent seventeen years with Harmony Celebration Chorus in roles ranging from Section Leadership to Assistant Director, including serving as Interim Co-Director and leading the chorus to the Region 15 stage in 2023.
Leading tag time at SAI Region 15 Vocalfest
As a charter member of Sirens of Gotham, Stephanie has been integral to the chorus’s artistic and organizational growth since its inception. Her contributions include service as Section Leader, Visual and Costume Team member, Management Team member-at-large, Assistant/Associate Director, and Interim Director. She co-led the chorus through its 2017 contest season to secure its first Harmony Classic invitation, and again guided Sirens through regional contest preparation and international Harmony Classic preparation during her 2017–2018 interim directorship. She was named Sirens’ “Member of Note” in 2018 and has been serving on the board as Artistic Vice President.
“Sirens of Gotham has been one of the most meaningful artistic communities of my life,” Stephanie said, “I have had the privilege of growing with this chorus since its earliest days, and I care deeply about its future—its artistry, its culture, and its impact on the barbershop world. Stepping into the role of Interim Director is not just about maintaining momentum; it’s about guiding the chorus through a pivotal transition with clarity, stability, and renewed purpose.”
Looking ahead, the Board anticipates launching a formal search for a permanent Artistic Director in November 2026. Stephanie’s appointment as Interim Artistic Director reflects both the chorus’s immediate ambitions and a thoughtful approach to long-term artistic leadership. This interim period allows Sirens of Gotham to move forward with confidence, clarity, and musical momentum in a pivotal season, while also ensuring the time and space needed to engage in a comprehensive and inclusive search for the chorus’s next chapter of artistic direction.
About Sirens of Gotham
Sirens of Gotham is an a cappella chorus that specializes in barbershop harmony. Membership is open to singers of all marginalized genders who are comfortable singing somewhere in the SSAA range. This may include cis women, trans people of all gender identities, non-binary people, and gender fluid people. It is the mission of Sirens to build an encouraging, inclusive environment for singers to pursue the highest levels of artistry and musical excellence in a cappella singing; to master the art of barbershop harmony; and to cultivate meaningful artistic experiences that enrich the lives of our members, our audiences, and the local community.
Sirens of Gotham is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit whose aim is to constantly educate, innovate, and raise the bar for a cappella as the active NYC chapter of the barbershop music organization Sweet Adelines International. The ensemble was established in November of 2011, but chartering as a chapter of SAI in February 2013 kicked off a period of exponential growth. The chorus has medaled in local competitions at the New York Harmony Sweepstakes, BHS (Barbershop Harmony Society) Mid-Atlantic District and SAI Region 15 Competitions. In October 2018, they made their international competition debut at the SAI Harmony Classic barbershop chorus competition in St. Louis, MO, where we won 1st place Division A and 1st place overall. The ensemble has appeared on multiple televised broadcasts, starred in a reality show, and performed in a variety of world-renowned venues. Their performance at the SAI International chorus contest this coming October will be the ensemble’s fourth international barbershop competition appearance, but their first as the Regional Chorus Champions.
Please direct any inquiries to president@sirensofgotham.org.