Biography

Claire Khodara is a recording artist, autism activist, and founder based in Los Angeles, California. Known for her soulful and soaring sound inspired by folk and Americana icons Brandi Carlile and Bonnie Raitt, Claire transcends musical genres with her classical background and modern, sultry vocals which span an international, 25-year career. Born in Philadelphia in 1985, Claire trained at the multi-secular Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, one of the oldest musical institutions in the world. While there, she studied classical opera under the legendary Italian soprano and opera director Renata Scotto, who famously taught Grammy award-winning soprano Renée Fleming. For two years, Claire rigorously honed her technique and embodied the institution’s artistic and charitable aims, promoting art and music in all its manifestations. In 2004, Claire was awarded the honor of being the Pope’s Benediction singer as the soprano soloist for Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI, a position she held until 2006. She also performed in front of thousands at Piazza San Pietro and in the Sistine Chapel for the initiation celebration of new cardinals. In 2010, having studied at Imperial College in London, Claire returned to Philadelphia to finish her Bachelor of Arts at Temple University. She was then selected to be a contestant on Season 9 of the American singing competition television series American Idol in Los Angeles, following her audition of Mr. Big’s “To Be With You.” An overnight success, Claire’s musical career was propelled into the spotlight, leading to mentions in the press and performances for national anthems, residencies and private events. Realizing the ease with which she could advocate for herself as an artist, Claire founded the production company STARROCK in 2012 to book other performers, providing custom acts and live entertainment for a wide-range of global events, including New York, London, and Paris Fashion Weeks. In 2012, she moved back to London to broaden her professional horizons, where she expanded STARROCK and garnered coveted singing residencies at Annabel’s, The Arts Club, Shoreditch House, Little House Mayfair, George, and Morton’s, cementing her reputation as the go-to songstress performing for celebrities (Victoria and David Beckham, Duffy), royals (Prince Harry), and the who’s who of British society.

Claire was awarded the honor of being the Pope's Benediction singer as the soprano soloist for Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI, a position she held until 2006.

In 2014, Claire released her freshman album Brand New with her London band, featuring mid-tempo, folk-inspired jazz sounds.

By 2016, she moved stateside to New York City, securing residencies at The Pierre Hotel, The Blond, Rose Bar, The Peninsula Hotels worldwide, Pianos, and Rockwood Music Hall. She also synced up with producer Billy Pavone (of Wet and St. Lucia fame) to form the band Khodara, whose repertoire included original pop songs. With a dynamic, soulful sound, Khodara was influenced by electronic music in the style of Passion Pit combined with vintage Madonna. Khodara’s debut EP Where’s Your Love, including songs Billie and Anxious, were received with critical acclaim.

Claire “[found] power through beauty,” wrote Cool Hunting, with the ultimate goal to “demonstrate the versatility of pop music around the world,” while BlackBook hailed her as “the gorgeous songstress [who] has been compared to, amongst others, Lana Del Rey,” with Claire being “much more the classic soul singer updated – her music far more sensual, passionate.”

The music video for Khodara’s title track was further shot by award-winning filmmaker and writer Shruti Ganguly, with cameos by prominent creatives including Mickey Boardman, editorial director of Paper Magazine, and fashion models Natalya Piro, Teresa Moore, Aimee Ruby, and Alise Shoemaker.

In 2017, Claire became a mother, giving birth to her first child, Winston Khodara, who was subsequently diagnosed with autism at age 2. Drawing upon her previous advocacy experience, she actively supported autism awareness and acceptance, making it her life’s work to help other parents along their shared journey, and integrating music and musical therapy towards her son’s struggle to find his own voice.

During the pandemic, Claire and her family relocated to Los Angeles, where she opened STARROCK’s bicoastal office, continuing to employ a network of 200+ artists annually, and serving more than one hundred events per year, or over 1500+ total since the company’s founding.

She was then selected to be a contestant on Season 9 of the American singing competition television series American Idol in Los Angeles, following her audition of Mr. Big’s “To Be With You.”

Voted the best women-run global entertainment company by Luxe Magazine, STARROCK is a powerful platform for diverse artists, from trendsetting DJs, live dance, brass or jazz bands, string ensembles and National Acts. In 2021, STARROCK was voted as the #1 Wedding Vendor nationwide by The Knot, the leading wedding marketplace in the U.S.

Claire-Khodara-Biography

Today, Claire is now a proud mother of three, including Winston (6), Constantin (4) and Olympia (3), each of whom have indelibly impacted her outlook as an artist and business woman.

In 2021, Claire’s own mother, Martha Madigan, a photographer and professor of photography at Temple University, was diagnosed with cancer, spurring Claire to create a compilation album of lullabies entitled Modern Lullaby, for both parents and their children––a throughline between her and Martha, and Claire’s own experience as a mother to her three children.

Reflective of her life’s experience and work to date, Modern Lullaby is a cathartic outpouring of love for her mother, children, and children everywhere, featuring her family’s favorite cover songs in her signature soft and stirring style. Her eldest son, Winston, who found his own voice at 3-years-old, also features on Twinkle – Wonderful World singing backup.

The Prayer, released on September 15, 2023 is an encore to Modern Lullaby. Modern Lullaby and The Prayer are produced by Ken Stacey. All proceeds of the album’s sales go towards autism education, awareness and advocacy.