About Susan

Bio PDFs are available for download below
click for headshots

Susan HofflanderSusan Hofflander has enjoyed the good fortune of a variety of stellar performing opportunities. Leonard Bernstein said of her, “She has the voice of Jenny Tourel and the comic timing of Rosalind Russell!”. This praise after her presentation as Dinah in the world premiere of Stephen Wadsworth’s Bernstein Revued. And, from Harold Prince, “Hofflander possesses an excellent voice and acting talent.” after directing her in the national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Susan has performed numerous operas and operettas nationwide, including The Cunning Little Vixen as Chocholka, The Merry Widow as Sylvane, Street Scene as Emma Jones and Pirates of Penzance as Ruth with Lyric Opera of Chicago. She performed the title role of Isabella in L’Italiana in Algieri with Chicago Opera Theater and as Berthe in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Minnesota Opera. Among her other roles in opera and operetta with various companies are Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Dorabella and Despina in Cosi fan Tutte, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Mercedes in Carmen, Flora in La Traviata. As well as many productions as the Mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors and the female lead in the his comic opera The Hero. Again in the title role as Perichole in Offenbach’s La Perichole, as Pitti-Sing and Katisha in The Mikado, Mrs. Partlett in The Sorcerer, Queen of the Fairies in Iolanthe and the Duchess of Plaza Toro in The Gondoliers.

Her vocal versatility and acting chops brought her bountiful employment in her first love, music theater! Along with the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera, she’s played the Old Lady in Candide, Ida in the American premiere of the Olivier Award winning show, HONK! and is featured on the American recording, Miss Andrew and Birdwoman in Mary Poppins, Nettie Fowler in Carousel, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, Sister Sophia and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music with such notable companies as Chanhassen Theater, Music Theatre of Wichita, The Guthrie, The Ordway and Nautilus Music Theater.

Her symphonic work is highlighted by Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, which she has performed over 20 times! Along with Beethoven’s Chorale Fantasie, Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor, Requiem Mass, Solemn Vespers as well as Bernstein’s Symphony #1, “Jeremiah”, Arias and Barcarolles (in it’s symphonic premiere with Present Music) and Mahler Symphony #2 “Resurrection” with notable orchestras such as Chicago Symphony, Grant Park Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Florida Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, St. Louis Symphony and many others. And, numerous Pops concerts featuring the music of Jerome Kern, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers & Hammerstein and Leonard Bernstein.

Susan graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and completed graduate studies in vocal performance at American Conservatory, Chicago Conservatory and Roosevelt University. Shortly after graduation, she was a featured soloist with the renowned Stanley Paul Orchestra and on “The Hour of Power” at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA. She appeared in several television commercials with Gootson, Oakes and Schumacher and GKO productions. Educational films and live Industrial shows have also highlighted Susan’s talents.

Locally, Susan is delighted to be involved in endeavors that include performing as a soloist in a memorial concert for the victims of the 35W bridge collapse in an original work Crossings by Ralph Johnson. When not at the theater or on the concert stage, Susan devotes her time to her favorite projects gardening, reading and travel, as well as donating her time and efforts for organizations such as PRISM (People Responding in Social Ministry), Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul and Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church.

Susan is currently writing a musical about grieving.  

Click to Download PDF

Short Bio (126 words)

Susan Hofflander- Versatility is the hallmark of this performer. Leonard Bernstein said of her, “Susan Hofflander has the voice of Jenny Tourel and the comic timing of Rosalind Russell.”after her performance inBernstein Revued”.  “Hofflander possesses an excellent voice and acting talent.”, quoting Hal Prince after her work in “Phantom of the Opera”. A soloist with opera companies and orchestras nationwide, with groups such as Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Florida Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, Skylight Opera.  Many music theater principal roles in Carousel, HONK!, The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and more.  Jazz singing with Voices 360 and gospel at Crystal Cathedral, with employment as a professional church soloist round out her stellar capabilities. Susan is currently writing a musical about grieving.  

Click to Download PDF

Mini Bio (56 words)

Susan Hofflander- Leonard Bernstein said, “Hofflander, voice of Jenny Tourel and comic timing of Rosalind Russell.”. National tour “Phantom of the Opera”, many opera and orchestra performances, Lyric Opera Chicago, Florida Symphony, MN Orchestra, MN Opera .  Music theater, principal performer in Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Carousel, Sound of Music and on the American recording of HONK!. Susan is currently writing a musical about grieving.  

Click to Download PDF

Theatrical Resume for Download

To view my repertoire, click here

Download PDF

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares
Share This