The Verdi Chorus was the “brain child” of Sheila and Bernie Segal, owners of the popular Ristorante di Musica in Santa Monica. The restaurant featured professional opera singers for entertainment while dining. Shortly after opening, the owners decided to augment their program by adding an opera chorus. They invited any of their patrons, who loved opera, and dreamed of singing on stage, to participate. They then asked Anne Marie Ketchum, who had a degree in choral conducting, to lead and teach the new singers.
Thus, the Verdi Chorus was born.

The Chorus presented 79 performances at the restaurant, including taking part in a full scale production of Cavalleria Rusticana. It also served as the opera chorus for the USC production of
La Clemenza di Tito.

When the restaurant closed in 1991, the Chorus reorganized as a non-profit corporation, hired Anne Marie as permanent Artistic and Music Director, and began performing at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. In the fall of 2001, it was necessary to move to a more spacious venue, the acoustically magnificent First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica.

Beginning with just 16 participants, the Chorus today numbers over 50 voices. Its repertoire includes over 120 operatic choruses, as well as many additional choruses from light opera and Broadway productions. Of the more than 60 guest artists and musicians who have performed with the Chorus, many have gone on to enjoy national and international recognition. In addition, the Chorus supports the Metropolitan Opera National Council by offering performance opportunities to the Metropolitan Western Region audition finalists.