Darlene Koldenhoven

Darlene Koldenhoven is an American Grammy Award-winning vocalist, pianist, composer, songwriter, arranger, and author. In 2021, her solo piano album The Grand Piano Spa debuted at No. 4 on Billboards Classical Crossover Albums Chart, followed by The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy debuting at No. 8 on the same chart. She has performed onstage with such artists as Yanni, David Byrne and Ricky Kej; and she has provided vocals on albums by Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Celine Dion, and Kenny Loggins. As an actress, she has been featured in Sister Act, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Spy Hard, the Young and the Restless, and Malcom in the Middle.

Early life and education Darlene Koldenhoven was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She began singing at age 3 and started taking piano lessons at age 9. She graduated from Chicago Christian High School, and at age 19 performed a solo with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and for the Lyric Opera Guild of Chicago. Koldenhoven received a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a master's degree in Vocal Performance from The Chicago Conservatory College. She taught elementary school music in Chicago for six years, then moved to Los Angeles in 1978 to pursue a career in music.

Career After moving to Los Angeles, Koldenhoven made a name for herself in the music industry in 1982 by earning a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo, or Group as lead soprano with the musical group Clare Fisher's 2+2. In the early 1980s she began singing on albums by artists such as Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Kenny Loggins, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Lionel Richie. In 1987, she won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo, or Group. In 1994, Koldenhoven performed "Aria" as a featured soprano soloist on Yanni, Live at the Acropolis. She has also shared the stage with Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, and David Byrne. Koldenhoven has been a solo vocalist in films including Body of Evidence, Internal Affairs, and The Crow. As a choir singer she has provided vocals for What About Bob? and others. Koldenhoven contributed vocals for the video games Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance.

Koldenhoven wrote the book Tune Your Voice: Singing and Your Mind's Musical Ear (high voice and low voice versions).

Personal life Koldenhoven lives in Los Angeles, where she takes care of adopted rescue animals.

Discography Solo albums 1993 – Keys to the World 1996 – Free to Serve 2000 – Heavenly Peace 2007 – Infinite Voice 2011 – Inspired by a True Story 2011 – Solitary Treasures 2013 – Tranquil Times 2017 – Color Me Home 2018 – Chromatones 2021 – The Grand Piano Spa 2021 – The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy 2022 – Traveling the Blissful Highway

Other albums 1981 – Clare Fischer – 2+2 – lead soprano 1985 – Crystal Gayle – Nobody Wants to Be Alone – backing vocals 1984 – Tom Jones – Love is on the Radio – backing vocals 1985 – Rod Stewart – Every Beat of My Heart – backing vocals 1987 – Pink Floyd – A Momentary Lapse of Reason – backing vocals 1991 – Kenny Loggins – Leap of Faith – backing vocals 1992 – Lionel Richie – Back to Front – backing vocals