Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, she got her first piano at age 11, beginning her lifelong love affair with music, singing, and entertaining. Still a child, she was a constant soloist in choirs and a featured player in musicals, making it clear she was headed for significant achievement in the performing arts. Her first professional experience was singing in the opera chorus at the Chicago Conservatory of Music at age 14. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from Northern Illinois University, where, in her last year, she was accepted into the world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus, taking the only open spot! Continuing her upward trajectory, she moved on from the LOC chorus to pursue roles as a soloist in the classical arena. And solo she did! As such, Susan has performed numerous operas and operettas nationwide, including:
- Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri
- Berthe in Il Barbiere di Siviglia
- Hansel in Hansel and Gretel
- Dorabella and Despina in Così fan tutte
- Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro
- Mercedes in Carmen
- Flora in La Traviata
- Perichole in Offenbach’s La Périchole
- Pitti-Sing and Katisha in The Mikado
- Mrs. Partlett in The Sorcerer
- Queen of the Fairies in Iolanthe
- Duchess of Plaza Toro in The Gondoliers
- Many productions as the Mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors and the female lead, Mildred, in his comic opera The Hero
- Comprimario roles in The Cunning Little Vixen, The Merry Widow, Street Scene, and Pirates of Penzance with such distinguished companies as:
- Lyric Opera of Chicago
- Chicago Opera Theater
- Toledo Opera
- Minnesota Opera
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Northstar Opera
- Skylight Music Theatre
- Florentine Opera
- Chamber Opera Chicago
- Seattle Opera
- Florida Symphony
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 its symphonic premiere with Present Music), and Mahler’s Symphony #2 “Resurrection”, and numerous pops concerts of Jerome Kern, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Leonard Bernstein’s music with notable orchestras such as:
- Chicago Symphony
- Grant Park Symphony
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Florida Symphony
- St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
- Milwaukee Symphony
- St. Louis Symphony
After 15 years in the classical singing arena, Susan made the transition back to her first love: musical theater! Along with the Broadway national tour of The Phantom of the Opera, she’s played:
- The Old Woman in Candide
- Ida in the American premiere and on the American recording of the Olivier Award-winning show HONK!
- 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
- Snake in The Apple Tree
- Grandma Tzeitl in Fiddler on the Roof with such extraordinary companies as Drury Lane Theatre, Chanhassen Theater, Music Theatre of Wichita, The Guthrie, The Ordway, Sacramento Theatre Company, Porchlight Music Theatre, and Nautilus Music Theater.
Her work in dramatic theater includes performances such as Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice at The Guthrie and Aoife in John Patrick Shanley’s Outside Mullingar, for which she was nominated for Chicago’s Jeff Award!
While performing at Lyric Opera Chicago, Susan pursued graduate studies in voice performance at the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago Conservatory of Music, and Roosevelt University. Additionally, Susan’s talents have been showcased as:
- Featured soloist with the renowned Stanley Paul Orchestra
- Featured soloist on “The Hour of Power” at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA
- Actor in several television commercials with Gootson, Oakes and Schumacher, and GKO productions
- Actor and singer in educational films, live industrial shows, and industrial films
- Professional church soloist and choir section leader for a variety of congregations
- Member of a vocal jazz ensemble in Minneapolis, VOICES 360
- Creator of a children’s video series on YouTube called Miss Suzy’s Place.
After a series of close family deaths in a short period of time, Susan decided to turn her sorrow into art. She wrote and performed a one-woman musical about her grief experience called Death Becomes Me. She has presented it numerous times and continues to promote and appear in it when invited. That experience also prompted her to start a blog, featured on this website, titled “Grief, Woman and Song”.
Susan now resides in Chicago and is embracing her third chapter motto: “Go for it!”
Approved for Press
Short Bio (126 words)
Susan Hofflander recently made her mark on episodic television with an appearance on NBC’s Chicago Fire. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Susan’s musical journey began at age 11, leading her to roles in operas nationwide and acceptance into the prestigious Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus. Her versatility shines in performances ranging from operatic roles, like Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri, to Broadway musical theater, including the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera. In addition to her impressive stage work, she’s been featured as a soloist in orchestral concerts and appeared in commercials and educational films. Currently, Susan continues her artistic journey with her one-woman show, Death Becomes Me, and resides in Chicago, embracing her motto: “Go for it!”
Mini Bio (56 words)
Susan Hofflander, a versatile performer, recently appeared on NBC’s Chicago Fire. Trained as a classical singer, Susan has performed with prestigious opera companies and in musical theater, including the Broadway tour of The Phantom of the Opera. She also created the one-woman show Death Becomes Me and continues to perform and inspire audiences nationwide.
Theatrical Resume for Download
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