Empowering change together

Chris Verdugo’s first introduction to the gay choral movement was at the early age of 18 when he joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. Three years later, he became Artistic Director of Paragon Productions, choreographing, directing and producing theatrical productions for cruise lines and hotels throughout the world. In 1999, he combined his event production background with his fundraising skills working with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami Beach’s Winter Party Music Festival, The Communion Foundation and sat on the Board of Directors for the South Beach Gay Men’s Chorus. Upon moving to Los Angeles in 2003, he was selected as one of two choreographers for the Miss Universe Pageant. Soon after he left his artistic roots to focus on LGBT and social justice issues working with various LGBT non–profits including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Equality California, Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD, producing Queer Lounge at Sundance for four years. In 2006 he joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles as a singer and five years later was named Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. Under Verdugo, the Chorus built an international reputation for musical excellence, doubled its budget, experienced massive expansion incorporating education programs in Los Angeles’ high schools as well as a national music tour entitled, “It Gets Better.” In September 2016 he moved to San Francisco and assumed the role of Executive Director at the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. SFGMC is credited with starting the gay choral movement in 1978, which has become the voice of the LGBT equality movement.