[18][1][21] After learning four pieces in order to audition for conservatory, he was accepted at SUNY Purchase in 1974, where he studied with composer-organist Anthony Newman and guitarist-composer Frederic Hand, and earned the school's first BFA in guitar in 1978.
"[3] Verdery has performed internationally, at venues including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Concertgebouw, the Metropolitan Opera, Wigmore Hall, and guitar festivals around the world.
[21][4][30][16] In 1996, Verdery accompanied the German baritone Hermann Prey in a performance of Schubert's "Fruhlingsglaube" described in the New York Times as bringing "an affecting sweetness and intimacy to [the] gently lyrical music.
[42][43][18][1][4][44][45][16] As a recording artist, Verdery has released albums of original and arranged material, of his own, in collaborative duos with guitarists and other instrumentalists, and as a member of Latitude and the ensemble Ufonia.
Ride the Wind Horse (1991) featured a title piece by Newman, works by Lou Harrison, David Leisner and Roberto Sierra, arrangements of Hendrix's Little Wing and Purple Haze, and Verdery's own first recorded compositions.
[24][21][39] Los Angeles Times critic John Henken called the album "an important recording distinguished by fluent, evocative playing of strong, characterful repertory.
Soepa (2002) included an original, arrangements of four Prince songs, and works by composers Daniel Asia, John Anthony Lennon, Ingram Marshall, Van Stiefel and Jack Vees—each present at their piece's recording.
[51][4] Start Now (2005) integrated classical sounds, alternate tunings and electronic effects, as well as African, Indian, flamenco and American popular music elements, including the whimsical "Fix the Funk," the evocative character studies of "Eleven Etudes," and the experimental "Be Kind All the Time.
"[52][38][30] Verdery's Branches (2006) was praised for its transcriptions of Bach, Mozart and Strauss, three Hendrix songs and "Amazing Grace"; Classical Guitar described its approach in the latter four as "collage-like"—with fragments and quoted motives developed to fill in for lyrics that nonetheless maintained each work's harmonic language.
[53][30][38] In 2016, Verdery released On Vineyard Sound, an album of originals written by Yale School of Music composition faculty that he performed on solo guitar and in duets.
[29] San Francisco Chronicle writer Joshua Kosman described Scenes from Ellis Island (2020) as a playful and ambitious five-work set showcasing Verdery as a solo and collaborative composer and multifaceted performer.
[4][7][16] In 2007, Verdery and Andy Summers released First You Build a Cloud, an album of largely joint compositions, many based on improvisations, as well as a Bach "Sarabande" and a version of the Police song "Bring On the Night."
Reviews noted the album for its variety of moods, stringed instruments (including a ukulele) and textures, often Verdery playing classical over Summer's sonic landscapes (e.g., "Flow").
[59] Verdery also recorded in the ensemble, Ufonia—with Vicki Bodner (oboe), John Marshall (percussion), Harvie S. (bass) and Keith Underwood (flute)—releasing a self-titled EP (1994) and album (2002); they primarily feature his own compositions of guitar-directed chamber music borrowing from world cultures and employing rich sonic textures.