Claude Cassagne

I was born in Provence and raised in Toulouse, France. I moved to the United States at age 14 to live with family in North Dakota. I have taught French to elementary school, middle school, high school and university students as well as adults. With French literature and culture, I specialize in 17th century French Theater and Francophone Cinema. Additionally, a large portion of my work and research involves oral communication anxiety in second language learners and the role that educators play in alleviating this anxiety.

I have taught art history, drama, private voice and piano lessons and I have been the Musical Director for various productions including Oliver!, Into the Woods and Once upon a Mattress. Aside from being a professor I am a professional choral singer and have been section leader for VocalEssence, the Minnesota Chorale and an ensemble tenor of the Dale Warland Singers. As a member of VocalEssence I am proud to have performed several times on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion radio show and to have toured internationally.

I received a B.A. from the University of Jamestown, North Dakota in Music Education and Vocal Performance, and another B.A. from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota in French and Speech, Communication and Theater Arts. I completed an M.A. at the University of Minnesota in French Literature. Finally, I earned a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in St. Paul.