Anna Chelak Stepping Down as Artistic Director
In the Spring of 2023, Sirens of Gotham was thrilled to appoint Anna Chelak as our new Artistic Director. Having been both an administrative and artistic leader within the chorus for years, her directorship of the chorus came naturally, and we have greatly benefited from her creativity and vision. In November of 2023, with the help of the Artistic Team, Anna led us to compete for the first time in the Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Chorus Contest in Louisville, KY and a spectacular 12th place finish. In January of 2024 as part of the Hell’s Kitchen Chapter in partnership with Voices of Gotham and Gotham Chorus, we hosted and performed at our first Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) Midwinter Convention. In Fall of 2024, Anna directed us at the BHS Mid-Atlantic District Fall Contest and Chorus Preliminaries, where we qualified to compete in the BHS International Chorus Contest for the first time. Most recently, Anna directed Sirens at the SAI Region 15 contest in March 2025, where we performed two custom commissioned contest charts that were brand new to any Sweet Adeline stage. Sirens won 1st place Division AA and 1st place overall, marking our first SAI Regional Championship. With this accomplishment, Anna also earned Region 15’s Novice Director award.
After all of these incredible firsts, it is with sadness that we share that in March of this year, Anna made the decision to step down from her position as Artistic Director. Her final performance directing Sirens of Gotham will be at the BHS Chorus Contest this summer in Denver, Colorado.
Anna’s leadership of the chorus as Artistic Director over these last few years has been an exciting time filled with individual and ensemble growth, artistic risk-taking, and beautiful storytelling. We are immensely grateful for all she has done for Sirens and all the ways she has shaped and uplifted us all with her joy, ambition, and authenticity!
