A long-held wish for a women’s chorus at the Los Angeles Athletic Club was realized in February 2000, when six prospective members met to form the fledgling choir.

Buoyed by the enjoyment of singing together, the Athenas attracted 30 total members in the coming months and performed the National Anthem at the John R. Wooden Award Banquet held at the Biltmore Hotel that spring.

The Athenas first concert was June 11, 2000, entitled, appropriately, “New Beginnings.” The Athena Club Chorus was introduced to the enthusiastic audience by the long-established Apollo Men’s Chorus and a dual program was presented. The Athena selections included Da Pacem Domine by Melchior Franck, Barcarolle by Jacques Offenbach, “Sunshine in My Soul” by John R. Sweeney, “As Time Goes By” by Herman Hupfeld, and a medley from Lerner and Loewe’s “Brigadoon.”

Francesco Sorianello, a member of the Club's Apollo Men’s Chorus, served as music director until 2006 and was followed by Sue Stanger from 2007 to 2014. Theresa Jolley has served in that role since 2015.

Pianist Jim Furmston has provided excellent accompaniment for rehearsals, leads the Athena Band for our concerts, and has contributed arrangements.

Managers over the years, all Athena Chorus members, have included Kay Murakami from 2000 to 2009, followed by Theresa Jolley in 2010. Then Nikki Rodgers served as manager between 2011 to 2012. Theresa Jolley served again between 2013 to 2014, and Michele Wolfe has been managing our chorus since 2015.

When it was established, the maximum size was set at 60 singers. Today there is a waiting list to join and auditions are required to fill out the sections of sopranos, mezzos and altos. We present a holiday concert each December, and a themed concert each spring. Recent themes have included Songs of the 70s, Songs of Summer, and a program of show tunes.

The Athena Chorus has evolved tenfold since its beginning, and is today a diverse group of women who reflect the culture of the Los Angeles Athletic Club and our city of Los Angeles.