Our Mentors

Dedicated experts with a proven record of success.

Anika Tené
Executive Director

In her role as Executive Director for the Arlington Children’s Chorus, Anika Tené is responsible for program management, development and communications, financial management, operations and marketing of the chorus.

In her full-time work, Anika serves as WESTAF’s director of social responsibility and inclusion. At WESTAF, she informs and develops a range of equity-centered learning experiences and grants programs that work to build a more inclusive arts and culture sector. Previously, she was a manager of national education initiatives at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts where she ensured that arts professionals were equipped with relevant professional learning and support as they sought to provide equitable access to the arts among public school students. Anika has led arts programming, in the U.S. and in South Africa, as a music and arts director, stage manager, producer, gallery coordinator, and subscriptions sales associate.

Anika is a member of the Arts at Mason Board for the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University, former chair of the Arlington County Commission for the Arts, and former chair of the Arts Administrators of Color Network. An alum of artEquity’s inaugural BIPOC Leadership Circle, she worked with arts leaders from across the nation to develop social justice leadership models.

Anika earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University and a master’s degree in arts management from George Mason University, where her capstone focused on the need for diversity in arts organization leadership. She also holds a master’s degree in public anthropology from American University and a postgraduate degree in management from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.

A choir kid in her own right, Anika was in the Oakland Children's Chorus and toured Canada, Jamaica and Florida in middle school and high school. She was an alto in the Howard Gospel Choir for her entire undergraduate student career. She has written, performed on and produced two live albums and video productions. She is passionate about mentoring and supporting young artists to achieve their goals in whatever career path they choose.

Anika lives in Arlington with her two daughters - both performing and visual artists - and their dog.

Felix Polendey
Artistic Director

The Arlington Children’s Chorus is pleased to welcome its new Artistic Director for the 2023-24 Season!

Felix Polendey is a music educator, conductor and tenor in the DC Metropolitan Area. A graduate of the George Mason School of Music with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and music performance as well as a Master of Music degree in choral conducting, Felix also completed his Kodály Certification through Mason Community Arts. Currently, he is a middle school choral director with Fairfax County Public Schools. He also serves as adjunct faculty with the American Kodály Institute at Loyola University Maryland. Outside of teaching, he is a sought-after tenor singing as a soloist, cantor and ensemble member in sacred and operatic works. He has also been an Associate Conductor of the National Children's Chorus. He is thrilled to join the Arlington Children’s Chorus as Artistic Director!

Julie Thompson
Chorus Manager

As Chorus Manager of The Arlington Children's Chorus, Julie is responsible for day-to-day operations, such as communicating with parents and outside organizations, organizing and assisting at rehearsals and events, maintaining records, and helping the Executive Director and Artistic Director.

Julie has experience working in the arts in the Washington D.C. area at beloved institutions such as The Kennedy Center and The Shakespeare Theatre, and has a wide-ranging knowledge of the arts as a result. Julie also has operational experience from her time spent opening the Newseum (both locations!). She is also an ACC parent as her daughter has been singing with the ACC since 2017. In addition to her work with ACC, Julie volunteers with the Girl Scouts, AHC and with the Jefferson Middle School PTA.

Past Leaders

Caleb McClay
Former Artistic Director

After taking over the role of Artistic Director in August, 2019, Caleb McClay excelled in raising the Arlington Children’s Chorus to new levels of of enthusiasm and dedication, as well as a new direction encompassing a more diverse repertoire. Caleb holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Education and is an active member of several local community and semi-professional choruses, singing with the Choral Arts Society of Washington with Scott Tucker and Voce Chamber Singers with Richard Giarusso. His singing journey started with the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir when he was eight and he is excited to continue assisting the ACC as a Board Member. Caleb has decided to pursue a career in law, and the ACC wishes him success in all his future endeavors.

Kevin Carr
Founder

Kevin Carr founded and led The Arlington Children’s Chorus from 2010 to 2019. As a well-regarded elementary school music educator, Mr. Carr has always loved creating the opportunity for school-aged children to excel in choral music. He believes anyone can sing, and is known for his many contributions to music education in the elementary school setting, where he combines musical and artistic skills to enable beginning as well as experienced singers to express themselves through music. Mr. Carr and his elementary chorus were featured in the Reuters International Video “Music and the Brain.”

Prior to forming the Arlington Children’s Chorus, Mr. Carr was the founding director of The Alexandria Choral Society Children’s Chorus and served ten years with that organization. He taught children for over 27 years in Arlington, Fairfax and Zambia, Africa, and is beloved by his choristers and parents alike. 

Board of Directors

Marianne Anderson
Secretary

Deanna Caputo
Member

Cassie Huang
Member

Stephanie Marshall
Member

Milne Young
Member