Menalive Marks 25 Years, Expands Orange County’s Choral Landscape

Orange County’s MenAlive chorus, which began in September 2001 with 13 members, is now celebrating its 25th anniversary season, having grown to more than 100 singers and volunteers.

The organization, founded by Rich Cook, has aimed to provide a sense of belonging and visibility through music. From its beginnings, MenAlive has been described as a community lifeline, offering a space for connection and hope. Executive Director Valerie Ousley noted that the chorus has been a place where people find their voice, themselves, and a community. Members and audiences have shared experiences of finding belonging.

Over its history, MenAlive has performed alongside notable artists such as Leslie Jordan, Bernadette Peters, and Liza Minnelli. The chorus has appeared in prominent venues including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the Hollywood Bowl, reflecting the increasing visibility of its voices on major stages.

For its 25th-anniversary season, MenAlive has planned a series of performances for 2026. The season begins this May with its anniversary showcase, MenAlive25: Finding Our Voice, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Later in the year, the chorus is scheduled for its sixth performance at the Hollywood Bowl in September, opening for The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA. Additional performances include Battle for Broadway in October and the holiday concert Celebrate! From Our Hearth to Yours in December.

Music Director Gavin Thrasher expressed his honor in joining the chorus for this anniversary season. He stated the organization is focused on expanding its reach and welcoming new members, ensembles, and volunteers while creating meaningful performance experiences and building connections through music.

Further demonstrating its growth, MenAlive will launch PrideAlive this August. This new initiative will form Orange County’s first mixed-voice queer chorus under the newly established VoicesAlive umbrella. This expansion aims to create more opportunities for connection and musical expression.

Valerie Ousley, who has been with the organization for over 20 years, highlighted the personal impact of the chorus, stating that watching her own son perform made it clear: "this is more than music. This is legacy." The organization continues to expand its reach and create spaces for belonging in Orange County.