# 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 Billboard's 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.
As a singing actress, Koldenhoven has been featured in Sister Act, and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Spy Hard, and Malcom in the Middle. She was a solo vocalist in an on-camera role in the Young and the Restless, performing "The Prayer", and provided the singing voice for Julianne Moore, singing "Why Do I Lie" in the film Cast a Deadly Spell. 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
* 1990 - REO Speedwagon - The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken - backing vocals
* 1991 - Kenny Loggins - Leap of Faith - backing vocals
* 1992 - Ringo Starr - Time Takes Time - backing vocals
* 1992 - Lionel Richie - Back to Front - backing vocals
* 1994 - Yanni - Live at the Acropolis - lead vocals
* 1998 - Celine Dion - These Are Special Times - backing vocals
* 2002 - Neil Young - Living with War - backing vocals

## Awards

| Year | Nominated work | Category | Award | Result |
| 1982 | Clare Fischer Presents 2+2 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo, or Group | Grammy Award | Nominated |
| 1983 | One Night in A Dream | Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo, or Group | Grammy Award | Nominated |
| 1987 | Free Fall | Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo, or Group | Grammy Award | Won |
| 2017 | Until | Best New Age Song/Best Soprano Soloist | Global Music Awards (Gold Medal) | Won |
| 2017 | Ode To Our Orb | New Age/Ambient | Hollywood Music in Media Award | Nominated |
| 2019 | Vibrant Worlds | Best Easy Listening Recording | Indie Music Channel Award | Won |
| 2019 | Golden Dawn | Best Songwriter (all genres) | Indie Music Channel Award | Won |
| 2019 | Lifetime Achievement Award | Hall of Fame Inductee | Indie Music Channel Award | Won |
| 2021 | Wisteria | Contemporary Classical | Hollywood Music in Media Award | Nominated |
| 2022 | Traveling the Blissful Highway | New Age - Production/Producer (Gold Medal) | Global Music Award (Gold Medal) | Won |
| 2022 | Cheerful Mohana | New Age/Ambient | Hollywood Music in Media Award | Nominated |
| 2023 | Cheerful Mohana | Best of Pangea/New Age | InterContinental Music Award | Won |
| 2023 | Best in Music Genre | Best New Age/Ambient | Hollywood Independent Music Award | Nominated |