Biography of an American from Paris
A favorite from the Art Institute of Chicago to the Musée de Montmartre in Paris, actor/singer CLAUDIA HOMMEL is best known for her cabaret concerts of French and American songs celebrating Paris. Not limited to the role of French chanteuse, "Claudia Hommel is a gifted and uniquely versatile artist, with a wide range of roles demanding deep emotional commitment or zany satirical high-jinks and everything in between," writes her mentor, actor and director Alvin Epstein. Claudia's repertoire encompasses French chanson, American standards, 19th and 20th century art songs and theatre music. Her clear and beautiful voice, ranging from lyrical to gutsy, adds to her considerable appeal.
Born in Paris and raised in Detroit, trained extensively in New York City where she lived for 8 years, and now calling Chicago home, Claudia leads an active career as a theatrical singer in clubs, recital halls, museums, libraries and theatres from New York City to California. Described as a "bit of Audrey Hepburn, with something of Ginger Rogers, Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier and... Air Jordan," Claudia "will make you want to dance along the Seine."
In association with members of the American Association of Teachers of French, Claudia tours her Parisian cabaret programs as artist-in-residence to secondary schools and colleges across the continent. Her academic background in history and archives infuses her school residencies, workshops and master classes with revelations of social and cultural history and criticism.
A member of the Actors Equity Association, Claudia appeared as Young Nadya in Joshua Sobol's Adam, Guenevere in Camelot, Elvira in Blithe Spirit, Artie in Lee Blessing's Eleemosynary, and Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream. She is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. She often shares the stage with other members of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals, which she co-founded in 1998.
The Maison Clobert label features Claudia's recordings of Parisian cabaret concerts: Paris/Paree, Paris in the Jazz Age, and Romance Language: French songs for lovers (featuring the legendary jazz violinist Johnny Frigo), and the classical-jazz crossover album The Jazz Fauré Project: au bord de l'eau.