Born and raised in Witten, Germany, Schimmack received her artistic education in the United States, at the University of California Irvine. Masterclasses with Martin Katz, Marylin Horne, Prof. Ellen Müller-Preiss and Ks. Christa Ludwig in New York complemented her studies.

She continued her vocal work and development from alto to dramatic soprano with Ks. Martha Dewal and Ks. Ileana Cotrubas in Vienna. Operatic debut as Rossweisse/Walküre with the Arizona Opera USA in 1991. German debut in the role of Erda/ Rheingold. Principal Soloist with the Dortmund Opera from 1993 to 1998 and from 1998 to 2000 with the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. Work as a freelance singer since 2000.

Collaboration with renowned conductors such as Antonio Pappano, Thomas Dausgaard, Michael Schønwandt, Frank Beermann, Giordano Bellincampi, Laurent Wagner and stage directors Sir Peter Hall, John Dew, Heinz Lukas-Kindermann.

Susanne Schimmack’s repertoire equally includes the oratorio and Lied, especially the great song cycles of Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner.

Laureate of several international competitions: the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, the International Competition for Wagnerian Voices, the Concours International de Chant de Paris. Recipient of the Jessye Norman Scholarship donated by the Orange County Philharmonic Society USA and the Bajazzo Award of Dortmund Opera for outstanding artistic achievement.

At Conservatorium Maastricht, Schimmack is a main subject lecturer in Opera and Solo Singing.